State of Nebraska Archives: on Free Trade
Ben Sasse:
Supports presidential Trade Promotion Authority
Access to international markets and fair treatment of the products raised by Nebraska farmers and ranchers is essential to our agricultural economy, as well as the well-being of people around the world. The United States currently has free trade
agreements with 20 countries, which account for $4.1 billion (55%) of Nebraska's exports: and exports from Nebraska to these markets grew by over 200% during the past decade. Just as in the golden rule, our trading partners will do to us as we
have done to them. One of the ways that Congress can demonstrate their leadership is the grant the President Trade Promotion Authority. Now that this Administration has finally asked for TPA, after being the first since
FDR to not have or to not have asked for TPA, we need to rally bipartisan support in Congress for its passage to send a message to the world that we mean business about trade.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Nebraska Senate race
Oct 24, 2014
Bob Krist:
Trump's trade war would devastate Nebraska's economy
Sen. Bob Krist, candidate for Nebraska governor, says that President Trump's threats to start a global trade war would be devastating to Nebraska's economy and called on Gov. Pete Ricketts to lobby Vice President Mike Pence to stop the Administration's
threats."Nebraska is the number one exporter of beef and one of the top exporters of corn and dried distillers," Krist said. "Gov. Ricketts, on behalf of Nebraska cattle producers and farmers, tell Vice President Pence to stop Trump's foolhardy and
dangerous threats to our farmers and ranchers' livelihoods," Krist said.
Nebraska topped all other U.S. states for beef exports in 2017 for a second year in a row, exporting $1.26 billion worth of beef. In all, Nebraska's $6.4 billion in agricultural
exports in 2015 translate into $7.8 billion in additional economic activity in Nebraska.
"Gov. Ricketts should tell Vice President Pence that Nebraska will not forget selling us down the river over a foolish trade war," Krist said.
Source: KHGI (ABC) Nebraska.tv on 2018 Nebraska governor race
Mar 6, 2018
Chris Janicek:
Repeal tariffs; work out deals with trade partners
Janicek's platform is centered on making healthcare attainable and affordable for everyone and fixing the tariff issues involved in the agricultural community.
Janicek wants to repeal those tariffs, go back to the negotiating table and work out deals with trade partners.
Source: KSNB Scottsbluff NBC on 2020 Nebraska Senate race
Sep 18, 2019
Chris Janicek:
Trade wars work against Nebraska farmers
Janicek said, "Our agribusiness industry had been shattered by this administration and we don't need to be a 'red state' to value and cherish the foundation of our family farms. A trade war with China or anyone else who
purchases our ag products works against Nebraska." He said the nation must develop a sensible strategy that allows our farmers and ranchers to make a living, a strategy that isn't used as a political weapon against other nations.
Source: Scottsbluff Star-Herald on 2020 Nebraska Senate race
Sep 18, 2019
Chris Janicek:
Needs more negotiations with trading partners
The Omaha small business owner says he disagrees with the current trade stance and policies of the Trump Administration. Janicek says there needs to be more negotiations with various trading partners, including China, as tariffs are proving devastating
to agriculture. He also says he found out during discussion with various farm organizations that overseas countries have a stake in some of the larger agri-business companies that are benefiting from government assistance programs.
Source: KNEB-TV 960 AM on 2020 Nebraska Senate race
Sep 19, 2019
Chris Janicek:
End tariffs through negotiations and better pricing
I will work for our farmers and the farm economy. I want to end the tariffs through trade negotiation and better pricing for profits in our state.
Farming and ranching make up 25% of our state economy. Our farmers deserve better.
Source: KOLN/KGIN 1011-NOW on 2020 Nebraska Senate race
Apr 23, 2020
Chuck Herbster:
Grow trade markets to jumpstart our agricultural industries
As a fourth-generation farmer and rancher, Charles understands that agriculture lies at the heart of Nebraska. It is time for a Nebraska farmer and rancher to lead our great state toward successful solutions.
Continue to grow our trade markets across the world to jumpstart our agricultural industries.
Source: 2021 Governor campaign website HerbsterForNebraska.com
Jun 7, 2021
Chuck Herbster:
Grow foreign markets to jumpstart agriculture industries
As a fifth-generation farmer and rancher, Charles understands that agriculture lies at the heart of Nebraska.
It is time for a Nebraska farmer and rancher to lead our great state toward successful solutions. Continue to grow our trade markets across the world to jumpstart our agricultural industries.
Source: 2021 NE Governor campaign website HerbsterForNebraska.com
Nov 17, 2021
Dave Heineman:
Expand trade with Taiwan & Hong Kong
I am a strong supporter of expanded trade; today's announcement represents an important continuation of our trade efforts. Taiwan and
Hong Kong are both very important markets for the state of Nebraska. They have been good customers, and it is critical that we continue to explore new opportunities with them.
Source: 2011 Nebraska Gubernatorial press release
Aug 4, 2011
Dave Heineman:
Trade mission: Nebraska exports to China grow rapidly
Exports are important to Nebraska, and last summer I led a trade mission to China. We continue to expand and strengthen our relationship with China, just like we have done with Canada, Mexico, Japan and many other countries. During the past few years,
Nebraska exports to China have grown rapidly and China is now Nebraska's fourth largest trading partner. The Nebraska-China relationship is just beginning and I am confident this will be a growing and improving relationship for many years to come.
Source: 2013 Nebraska State of the State Address
Jan 15, 2013
Jane Raybould:
Foreign trade important to Nebraska
While expressing concern about President Donald Trump's position on trade--the president said he "probably" will withdraw the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement--Raybould praised Republican
Gov. Pete Ricketts for traveling to Canada to reinforce his commitment to NAFTA. "I would like to see the governor travel down to Mexico next and make the same assurances," she said.
Source: Lincoln Journal Star on 2018 Nebraska Senate race
Aug 25, 2017
Jim Pillen:
Promote our agricultural products around the world
I'll tirelessly promote our world-class agricultural products around the world, forge and strengthen free, fair trade relationships, and work to open new markets and
help our farmers and ranchers reach new consumers.
Source: 2022 Nebraska website JimPillen.com "The Pillen Playbook"
May 12, 2022
Peter Ricketts:
Exports boost Nebraska economy
In Nebraska, we export over $8 billion of goods annually. Our work in China over the last three years helped open the door for Nebraska beef for the first time in 14 years.
Beef from a Nebraska company was the first to arrive in China last summer, and I'm excited to report that over half the American beef in China now comes from Nebraska!
In the past 12 months, we have also seen Argentina reopen their market to American pork. Bulgaria signed new soybean deals with Nebraska.
Vietnam opened their doors to dried distillers grains. And Japan is set to open their marketplace to American ethanol.
Source: 2018 Nebraska State of the State address
Jan 10, 2018
Steven Larrick:
We need fair trade that protects people and environment
Q: Do you support the United States imposing trade sanctions on Venezuela?
A: No. We need fair trade that better protects the people and the environment.
Source: Nebraska Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jun 25, 2008
Scott Kleeb:
Promote fair trade, not free trade
- Promote fair trade, not free trade. Expanding trade with other countries should not mean sacrificing American jobs, nor should it be a one-way street. Scott Kleeb supports trade agreements that require other countries to follow
clear, transparent rules, and to provide real opportunities for US farmers and companies to access foreign markets.
- Effective enforcement of existing agreements. The US cannot benefit from free trade if other countries don't abide by the
rules. Scott Kleeb believes that we must dedicate more resources to enforcing our existing trade agreements when other countries block US goods and services, including bringing more cases to the World Trade Organization.
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Strong labor and environmental protections. Our free trade agreements should truly level the playing field between US and foreign firms, by ensuring that our trading partners have strong labor and environmental standards.
Source: Campaign booklet, Nebraska's Brand of Change, p. 5
Aug 19, 2008
Peter Ricketts:
Tariffs are hurting Americans and specifically Nebraskans
[At Nebraska town hall, asked about speaking to the Trump Administration]: "I've already done that on things like tariffs. When he first announced his tariffs, I had conversations with a number of Cabinet members about, hey, here's how it's going to
impact [Nebraska]," he said. "It's an $100 million impact. Lay off people -- that's a problem. You're hurting Americans, and specifically Nebraskans, if you don't fix this.
Source: ABC News, "Town Hall," on 2026 Nebraska Senate race
Apr 24, 2025
Jim Pillen:
Trump tariffs will cause indigestion, but not in long haul
Governor Pillen and representatives from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture spoke at JBS Beef Plant, about growing and protecting agriculture. KMTV asked the governor how targeted tariffs are going to impact our state. "Well,
I think that tariffs will give us all a little bit of indigestion pun intended, but not, not for the long haul. All of us are supported because we have to have a global trade that we're not we're not being taken advantage of," said Pillen.
Source: KMTV-3 News Now, "Tariffs," on 2026 Nebraska Governor race
Mar 18, 2025
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2026