The Texas agriculture commissioner, Sid Miller, lauded a newly finalized U.S.-Israel agricultural trade agreement, saying it is aimed at “cutting food prices, boosting imports and strengthening Israel’s ability to get its products back into global markets.”
The Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products (ATAP) was signed on Dec. 2 by Nir Barkat, Israel’s minister of economy and industry, and U.S. trade commissioner Jameson Greer.
Miller thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his leadership, adding that the announcement “reflects the long and unwavering bond between the United States and Israel,” citing “shared values, shared security interests and a shared belief in the power of free people working together.”
He pointed to past collaboration between Israel and Texas, noting that “in years past, I contributed to these national collaborative efforts here in Texas, signing a joint declaration of cooperation agreement on behalf of Texas with Israel in 2017 to encourage agricultural trade.”
Texas Agricultural Code Title 3, Chapter 45, established the Texas-Israel Exchange Research Program to “support joint agricultural research and development,” for the purpose of “mutual benefit to Texas and Israel.”
Calling Israel “one of America’s closest and most reliable partners,” Miller said the agreement is “another chapter in that proud history.”
