WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement after meeting at the White House with other members of the committee and President Trump to discuss improving America’s trade policies:
“It was a productive meeting with President Trump,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I stressed the importance of trade to Louisiana workers, industry and agriculture. One third of Louisiana’s economy relies on international trade. There are 68,000 jobs at Louisiana ports alone. I look forward to working with President Trump to make trade policies better for American workers and businesses.”
Cassidy also appeared on Bloomberg TV to preview the meeting.
More than one-third of Louisiana’s economy—34.6 percent of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP)—is dependent on international trade. Louisiana currently enjoys trade surpluses with both Mexico and Canada.
Mexico is Louisiana’s second largest trading partner. Agriculture represents 25 percent of Louisiana’s exports to Mexico, and U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico have more doubled in the last three years.
Louisiana is home to five of the top 12 ports in the U.S. by volume.
Last month, Cassidy joined 35 of his Senate colleagues in outlining ways President Trump could improve the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
###