The words of U.S. President Donald Trump in his address to the American Farm Bureau Federation on January 8, appeared to resonate with his audience, drawing heavy applause and approval of some of the changes going on in the nation’s capital.
Trump, speaking during Farm Bureau’s 99th annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, made sure he conveyed that he, his administration and the Republican Party are dedicated to helping the U.S. agriculture industry flourish.
Trump is the first U.S. president to speak at the convention since President George H.W. Bush did so in 1992.
The current president praised the American farmer during his speech, as well as highlighted his administration’s stance on key agricultural issues such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.
Here are seven notable comments the president made during his speech:
- “To level the playing field for our great American exporters, our farmers and ranchers, as well as our manufacturers, we are reviewing all of our trade agreements to make sure that they are fair and reciprocal. Reciprocal is so important. With NAFTA, I am working very hard to get a better deal for our country and for our farmers and for our manufacturers. It’s under negotiation as we speak. Think of it, when Mexico’s making all of their money, when Canada’s making all of their money, it’s not the easiest negotiation, but we’re going to make it fair again.”
- “For years, many of you have endured burdensome fines, inspections, paperwork and relentless intrusion from an army of regulators at the EPA, the FDA and countless other federal agencies. That’s why I’m truly proud to report that within our first 11 months, my administration has cancelled over 1,500 planned regulatory actions or assaults, more than any president in the history of the United States. We have cut 22 regulations for every one new regulation.”
- “My administration is in the process of rolling back a rule that hit our farmers and ranchers very, very hard. The terrible Waters of the United States rule. It sounds so nice, it sounds so innocent and it was a disaster. When I signed it, I (said) ‘Ah, I’m going to be killed on this one.’ You know what? People came to me and they saw me and they were crying. Men that were tough and strong, women that were tough and strong, they see me, they had tears running down their eyes because I gave them back their property; I gave them back their farms; they could use them.”
- “There could be no better person to be our secretary of agriculture (than Sonny Perdue), a man known, trusted and respected by your industry, that’s for sure.”
- “This is your 99th year, so I was very disappointed to hear that. You understand, 100 is so much cooler, I have to be honest, so I’ll be back next year. I’ll come back.”
- “Oh, does (Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts) love the farmers. He’ll come in; we’re talking about a different subject and (he asks) ‘What about the farmers?’”
- We see the promise of tomorrow in the incredible young farmers who have joined us joined us today (and in) students who are achieving incredible things through amazing organizations like FFA and 4-H. … That’s the future of our country. Great young people. Their devotion to our nation inspires us all, it really does.”
