State of Nebraska Archives: on Free Trade


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

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

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

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

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: 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scott Kleeb: Promote fair trade, not free trade

Source: Campaign booklet, Nebraska’s Brand of Change, p. 5 Aug 19, 2008

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

  • The above quotations are from State of Nebraska Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Free Trade:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: May 30, 2022