The recent announcement of the United Kingdom (U.K.) parting ways with the European Union (EU) has one legislator excited about the possibility of a new trade partner.

Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District Representative Steve King says there are some huge advantages for Iowa farmers once trade negotiations can begin between the two countries. King notes one of the main advantages is allowing genetically modified organism (GMO) beef and soybean products to be traded. 

“But if we could do that, all of our GMOs that are, say for example, Roundup Ready Soybeans is kind of the flagship of all of this, they need to penetrate into the rest of the world. And it’s been the EU that’s been a barrier to that.”

King believes the U.K. will be at the front of the trade queue when the time comes to negotiate.    

“I imagine they have recruited some trade negotiators by now. The Brits have been our friends ever since they stopped burning our capital (in Washington, D.C. in the War of 1812) and they’ve been in every war with us since then. They are our blood brothers when it comes to Western Civilization and our common roots. I want them to be prosperous and we get more prosperous when we deal with them.”

U.S. Senator Charles Grassley commented that there will be an implementation period through December 31, 2020 with the U.K. continuing their trade relationship with the EU, but the U.S. can legally negotiate and complete a new trade agreement during that time.