Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins used her appearance at the Reagan National Economic Forum to outline what she considers the top priority for USDA: bringing more of America’s agricultural supply chain back home. “It is about ensuring that every day our farmers and ranchers and our agriculture supply chains are based in America, that they have what they need to continue to produce the best, highest quality, most efficient way to produce it in the world.” Rollins said the Trump Administration is focused on addressing long-term structural challenges facing the United States. She argued China has pursued a 100-year strategy to expand its global influence while the U.S. political system often focuses on short election cycles. As an example, Rollins cited Chinese ownership of U.S. agricultural assets, including farmland and agribusiness companies. “They own Syngenta, which is a seed fertilizer input company. They also own Smithfield, which controls a fifth to a fourth of our pork in America.” She added that foreign ownership extends beyond China, citing Brazilian-owned meatpacking companies as another example of agricultural assets controlled by overseas interests. Also appearing at the Reagan Forum was North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer. Cramer emphasized the need to strengthen trade relationships with allied nations while reducing America’s dependence on China.
