Iowans proudly lead the nation in the production of many agricultural commodities — corn, soybeans, eggs, pork, ethanol and biodiesel. In fact, one in every three rows of the soybeans we raise is ex­­ported — not just out of Iowa, but overseas. Iowa also raises more hogs than the next two states combined, and one in four pounds of pork produced in the U.S. is exported.

Access to new markets is critical to both Iowa’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors. In fact, nearly one in every five jobs in our state is dependent on international trade. These are just a few of the...