Today I attended a forum on trade agreements in Chico hosted by Rep. Wally Herger, a past ranking member of the House subcommittee on trade. The meeting featured Islam Siddiqui, the chief agricultural negotiator for U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, as well as officials from the International Trade Administration, the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association, the Small Business Administration and other agencies and organizations.
In the photos, from the top, Herger talks with Siddiqui; Siddiqui speaks with Gregory Kelley of California Olive Ranch; and Richard Wilbur of the Yuba City-based Wilbur Packing Co. tells his company's success story as Michael Rue of Rue and Forsman Ranch in Olivehurst listens.
The speakers all voiced optimism that the recently implemented trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama would be a boon for U.S. agriculture, particularly in California, which already trades abundantly with those three nations. I spoke during one of the breaks with Vilma Patton, a representative of an international firm from Colombia who was looking for opportunities to match companies here with partners in South America.
For my complete story, check CapitalPress.com soon.
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