Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) sat down with The Floridian to discuss the concerns of farmers- specifically farmers from Florida – over the predatory practices of the Chinese government, including concerns about the theft of genetically modified seeds to improve crops and their refusal to buy seed-generated produce from Florida.
For instance, in 2023, Newsweek published an article detailing this issue as Iowan farmers accused the Chinese of stealing seeds and “[undermining] American agriculture.”
Sen. Scott also discussed the notion of the Chinese refusing to buy Florida crops and whether President-elect Donald Trump (R) should level the playing field in this regard.
The Florida senator said that this issue shouldn’t be one-sided.
“If we can’t sell our products in China, why are we letting them sell their products here? It doesn’t make any sense. On top of that, when they steal our technology, we’ve got to hold them accountable. They shouldn’t have most favored nation treatment anymore. They lie. Everything the Chinese government does is a lie. Everything is a lie,” said Sen. Scott.
He continued, accusing the Chinese government of refusing to participate in the trade deals enacted by the U.S. government.
“They don’t comply with the Trump trade deal that he did with them. They violate everything. The Chinese government is a despicable government that lies.”
Furthermore, Sen. Scott shared his belief that the way to combat the CCP stealing American seeds and failing to participate in proper trade agreements is to buy from local markets.
“So, the reality is, you should buy locally. Whatever you’re going to put in your body, you should buy locally. It’s healthier,” concluded Scott.
Furthermore, the 2023 Farm Bill can was kicked into 2024, with House Democrats holding up the process by pushing to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding to COVID-era levels.
House Republicans have pushed back, and the negotiations all but stood still. There has been some movement behind closed doors over the past several months. Still, now that President Trump won reelection and Republicans have gained control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress, Republicans may look to negotiate and pass a far more farmer-friendly and lean farm bill under a Trump administration.
Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) told The Floridian that a farm bill would be a “better farm bill if we do [it] under the Trump admin.”
With President-elect Trump leading the way on the legislation, it could bode well for farmers in Florida, especially if it includes protections against the Chinese government.
