Vilsack to lead trade mission to Chile, Peru
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead a trade mission to Chile and Peru from March 14 to 18, USDA announced today.
In a news release, USDA noted that in the Chilean market, all U.S. products enjoy duty-free access as of 2015, thanks to the free trade agreement enacted in 2004.
Since 2004, U.S. exports to Chile have grown more than 500 percent, totaling $803 million in fiscal year 2015.
Since the United States entered into a trade agreement with Peru in 2009 that slashed agricultural tariffs and improved market access for many U.S. products, farm and food exports to Peru have nearly tripled, reaching a record $1.25 billion in fiscal year 2015, the department said.
“Now that the United States enjoys open access to these markets, it’s a great time for U.S. companies — especially small- and medium-sized enterprises — to start or expand their exports there.” Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary
“In both Chile and Peru, steady economic growth and an expanding middle-class population are fueling demand for high-quality, made-in-America food and agricultural products,” Vilsack said.
“Now that the United States enjoys open access to these markets, it’s a great time for U.S. companies — especially small- and medium-sized enterprises — to start or expand their exports there.”
–The Hagstrom Report
