Secretary Dan Glickman

As the summer growing season gets into full swing, I wonder how many of us truly appreciate the large number of people around the world who benefit from the hard work our farmers do. Sitting on our front porches, it's hard to imagine what we do here has an impact halfway around the world, and vice versa.

We often hear talk of the global economy, but few of us really bring home its full meaning. The fact is, a good part of the reason for the success of America’s farm economy in recent years is our ability to open up new markets overseas and grow existing ones. All over the world, people are eating American grains, munching on our apples, grilling our chickens, and baking our hams. Even with the current financial crisis in Asia, agriculture’s export numbers will be about $55 billion this year--one third of total agricultural output.

When President Bill Clinton signed the Farm Bill, he focused on the need to provide economic security to farmers and ranchers in tough times. In order to expand on our successful trade record and grow farm incomes, we need to stay engaged in the world. There are two critical opportunities before us: the upcoming 1999 World Trade Organization talks and support for the International Monetary Fund.

To ensure a level playing field for our farmers, we need to cut tariffs, purge quotas, and keep the heavy hand of state-run organizations far away from the marketplace. All countries need to lay off unfair trade practices--including weighty regulations, phony science barriers, unreasonable labeling requirements, and other creative maneuvers designed to get around the rules that govern fair and open trade.

We must make sure our trading partners are fair players and healthy players. That is why we need to shore up support for the International Monetary Fund. The IMF has done a good job of stabilizing Asia, and preventing a global economic crisis. Their insistence on serious financial reforms, including more open markets, is good for U.S. producers. As these economies recover, so do several important markets for U.S. food and fiber. Support for the IMF’s work is critical to agriculture, and it doesn’t cost U.S. taxpayers a dime.

Wherever you work, whatever your trade, you are part of the global economy. ¤