MR. MENNER: Thank you, Secretary Judge, distinguished members of the listening panel, guests, and fellow members of the international trade community. My name is Bill Menner, and I'm a representative of the Iowa goTrade. It's a coalition of about 100 individuals, organizations, and businesses, all of which have a vested interest in international trade and reduced barriers in open markets.

The Iowa goTrade network is actively working on behalf of the initiatives that will reduce trade barriers overseas while opening new markets to Iowa producers. That includes extension of global trade relations status to China, as well as China's admission to the World Trade Organization.

Some of our Iowa goTrade members are manufacturers with no obvious ties to agriculture. Maytag is a pretty good example. They want open markets and reduced barriers so they can enhance their profits, but they also know that Iowa's agribusiness sector has to flourish, and to do so, these manufacturers know that a strong ag economy is good for every business in the state.

Agribusinesses, like Diamond V Mills in Cedar Rapids, are looking to expand into new markets. They have had a global vision for years. They're recognizing the importance of international trade and the billions of dollars in new business that it can mean, but they have also had to confront unfair export subsidies that benefit their foreign competitors, detrimental breaches of existing trade agreements, and even occasional internal policies that stifle their opportunities abroad.

Iowa goTrade also has its family farmers like Conrad Lawler. Iowa producers are facing rock-bottom commodity prices right now. They're lucky to break even with the prices they're getting for corn, beans and hogs. These producers have long understood the potential impact of foreign markets on their ability to survive and to thrive. Generations of Iowa farmers have looked overseas for new markets. They too have had to confront barrier after barrier, and now with no federal subsidies available to help these family farmers survive, it's critical that the federal government take up their fight later this year in Seattle.

In the short term, before more than 134 WTO member nations even gather, the United States Congress must extend NTR to China. It's a market with 1.2 billion people. It's already the United States' fourth largest trading partner with trade worth $14 billion and 200,000 jobs hanging in the balance. And according to the Census Bureau, Iowa exports to China last year alone were worth $32 million. NTR for China must be extended, and China must be admitted to the World Trade Organization.

Imagine the impact on Iowa business and the U.S. and the world community if successful in engaging China economically, and imagine the impact on the world security as well.

When the next round of farm talks begin in Seattle later this year, the U.S. must go in with a unified voice and a commitment to protecting the fortunes of its farmers, its agribusinesses, and its manufacturers. It must demand a level playing field for U.S. producers, including a reduction of domestic internal agricultural subsidies, the reduction of import tariffs on agricultural products, the elimination of nontariff or artificial barriers to trade, and the elimination of export subsidies.

And after negotiators reach their agreements in Seattle, the Congress must grant the President fast-track trade authority. This is a critical tool that would benefit businesses in Iowa and across the United States. The President must have that authority.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Iowa goTrade Network, and thank you for your willingness to listen to the concerns of average Americans with global interests.