A coalition of 48 food and agriculture industry members signed a letter urging Congressional support for S. 629 and H.R. 3653, legislation known as the UNITED Act, that would grant the President, in consultation with Congress, the ability to seek a comprehensive trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom (U.K.). A copy of the letter is below for reference.

Food & Agriculture Associations Letter Requesting Co-Sponsorship of the UNITED Act

June 7, 2023

Dear [Member of Congress],

We write to express our strong support for S. 629 and H.R. 3653, bipartisan, bicameral legislation known as the UNITED Act, which we respectfully request you co-sponsor.

Introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Jim Himes (D-CT), the companion bills would grant the President, in consultation with Congress, the ability to seek a comprehensive trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom (U.K.).

As supporters of trade agreements that advance American strategic and economic interests, we see these bills as a tremendous opportunity. A comprehensive trade agreement with the U.K. would broaden the scope of exporting opportunities for American businesses, strengthen our supply chain resilience, and improve the well-being of our consumers. As organizations representing America’s agriculture industry, we further believe this legislation would bring economic opportunities to American farmers, ranchers, and food producers. In particular, we look forward to working closely with you to not only secure passage of the UNITED Act, but to also advance and promote transparent, predictable, and science- and risk-based trade policies that yield substantive gains in U.S. agricultural market access to the UK in any ensuing negotiations resulting from this legislation.

Overall, we find that agricultural stakeholders, rural communities, and the American people at large would benefit from enactment of the UNITED Act and use of the authority it would provide. We celebrate the bipartisan leadership in Congress to strengthen our already close relationship with the U.K. and increase the prosperity of Americans.

Thank you for considering our views.

Sincerely,