Improving trade is key to improving our economy

Spend any time traveling across Nebraska, and it's easy to see that agriculture is a big part of our economy. Nearly every stretch of road in our state is flanked by rolling hills of grazing cattle or long rows of field crops. You don't have to go far to find picturesque scenery of our rural way of life, complete with grain bins, windmills or an old red barn.

These iconic images of the heartland can seem a world apart from other countries oceans away, but our trade partners around the globe play a vital role in our state's agricultural economy.

In 2011, Nebraska exported $6.9 billion in ag products. These exports led to an additional $9.3 billion in other economic activity throughout the state. Every dollar in Nebraska ag exports generates $1.34 in economic activity in other sectors, such as transportation, warehousing, finance and production. So it's easy to see why strengthening our trade alliances is important for economic growth.

As Secretary of Agriculture I worked on numerous initiatives to broaden our trade partnerships and open new markets for American goods, including the ag products raised right here in Nebraska. But these agreements are not without their challenges. Every country at the negotiating table is seeking the best deal for its citizens, and the United States is no different. These agreements often take years of negotiation. Imagine if each country then took that deal back to Congress, Parliament or whatever legislative body, only for it to be amended before it could be approved. Negotiators would have to go back to the drawing board with a new set of terms each time a country's legislators make a change. With 535 chances to amend a deal in the U.S. alone, reaching a final trade agreement with other countries would be next to impossible.

To streamline the negotiation process, the Administration often asks Congress for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), a tool that ensures trade agreements within the terms set by Congress will be voted on without amendment by Congress. Until now, every president since the Nixon Administration has possessed such authority.

President Obama has said he understands the importance of increased trade partnerships for our economic recovery, and even set an ambitious goal of doubling U.S. exports in 2014, but he has dragged his feet for years on renewing TPA, which expired in 2007. Sadly, the President's lack of focus on this proven method to bolster economic growth has given our trade competitors an advantage. This is a huge missed opportunity for an Administration that claims its top priority is jobs and the economy.

Even the President has acknowledged that Republican lawmakers are willing to work with him to improve trade and renew TPA. Now it's time for action. I am encouraged that a handful of Democrats have joined discussions with Republicans in recent weeks to move TPA forward. Farmers and ranchers in Nebraska and producers and manufacturers across the country are depending on Congress and the Administration to work together to lower trade barriers around the world and reach the best possible deal for folks at home.

From my days as Governor, I've been a supporter of strengthening trade partnerships. I've advocated for giving the Administration TPA since I came to the Senate, and I am eager to work with all willing parties to provide the necessary tools to achieve this goal. Paying lip service is not enough, and the President is going to have to bring his fellow Democrats to the table to accomplish our mutual goal of improving trade and rebuilding the economy. American producers cannot afford more missed opportunities.