Sen. Joni Ernst on Thursday praised President Donald Trump for directing two top economic advisers to explore re-entering the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement he withdrew from after taking office last year.
"I'm so pleased that the president asked his administration to re-engage in these discussions with other TPP countries, and is continuing his work to negotiate a North American Free Trade Agreement deal," Ernst, an Iowa Republican, said in a statement.
Trump on Thursday directed economic adviser Larry Kudlow and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to explore the TPP possibility.
Within days of his inauguration in January 2017, Trump signed an executive order formally withdrawing from the TPP, the 2015 accord with 11 other Asian nations.
Ernst, in her first term, was among lawmakers from several agricultural states that were affected by Trump's initial decision.
Iowa's major products include corn, soybeans, pork, beef, and processed-food products.
"There is a growing demand for U.S. agricultural products around the world," Ernst said, "and American farmers and manufacturers should be able to compete in these markets."
Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse — whose state also produces such key products as beef, pork and soybeans — also lauded President Trump's decision.
"The best thing the United States can do to push back against Chinese cheating now is to lead the other eleven Pacific nations that believe in free trade and the rule of law," he said on Twitter.
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