News

Miami, FL – Today, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) will join members of the Miami-Dade County Farm Bureau for a roundtable discussion about Mexico’s unfair trade practices and legislation to protect specialty crop growers. Following the roundtable discussion, Rubio and Curbelo will hold a brief media availability.
 
Rubio and Curbelo recently introduced the Agricultural Trade Improvement Act of 2018, a bipartisan and bicameral bill that would allow Florida growers to bring claims of Mexico’s illegal dumping and subsidization to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission.
 
Florida’s agriculture industry is responsible for more than 100,000 jobs in the state, and accounts for approximately $12 billion in economic output each year. Florida and Mexico share a similar growing season, with Mexico producing many of the same specialty crops while utilizing government subsidies and without the same environmental and labor standards as the state of Florida.
 
In September, Senators Rubio and Nelson introduced legislation to combat Mexico’s unfair trade practices. In August, as the U.S. worked to finalize a NAFTA deal with Mexico, the senators renewed their calls with Ambassador Lighthizer, to protect Florida growers in a final agreement. In July, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Mexico, Rubio urged him to raise key issues in the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Earlier this year, Rubio reiterated his commitment to protecting Florida’s growers in NAFTA renegotiations. Last August, Rubio and Nelson urged Ambassador Lighthizer to propose measures that would protect Florida agriculture from unfair trade practices. Last September, Rubio also laid out Florida’s priorities and urged Lighthizer to work to construct a new trade deal with our North American partners that modernizes and builds on the successes of the previous agreement while also securing critical changes for Florida.
 
Media Guidance: Cameras will be able to take a B-Roll shot at the start of the roundtable. Following the B-Roll shot, media can proceed to the media availability location on site. Media interested in attending the event must RSVP to Joanna.Rodriguez@mail.house.gov by 10:00am ET today.
 
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Rubio, Curbelo to Hold Media Availability Following Meeting with South Dade Growers
Approximately 11:00am ET
S&L Beans
21400 SW 392nd St
Homestead, FL 33034