Politicians and industry groups were quick to respond after President Donald Trump’s second State of the Union address aired Tuesday. Iowa Republicans applauded the recent U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement negotiated in November by the Trump administration, and industry trade groups credited tax reform as a success under the administration. 

Here is a sampling of responses on business topics:

Gov. Kim Reynolds: “I appreciate President Trump using his State of the Union Address to discuss the importance of free and fair trade. In his remarks, the president rightfully called for the quick approval of the USMCA trade deal, and I urge Congress to ratify the agreement,” said Reynolds. “Mexico and Canada are Iowa’s No. 1 and No. 2 trading partners. Having a strong trade agreement with these countries such as the USMCA is critical to the ag and manufacturing communities in Iowa and across the entire nation.” 

Sen. Joni Ernst: “Through strong trade deals, like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, we are seeing greater access to new markets for our farmers and producers, which is so important to Iowa’s economy. While Iowans also support the administration taking a tough line with China, it’s critically important that we find resolution on the tariffs soon,” said Ernst.

Sen. Chuck Grassley: “President Trump kept his promise to update NAFTA and made key improvements for U.S. agriculture. The new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement should be ratified this year to give certainty to the millions of American farmers, businesses, workers and families who will benefit from the updated trade deal,” said Grassley. “Congress and the administration have their work cut out when it comes to lowering prescription drug costs. We’ve already begun by holding hearings and introducing legislation. President Trump’s call for greater transparency in health care should be a no-brainer.” 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue: “The president’s policies have been beneficial to American agriculture in the short term, but also have laid the foundation for long-term prosperity. Our trade agreements with other nations are getting stronger, and the strategies the president has employed will lead to new and expanded markets for our products,” said Perdue. 

Keith Hall, president and chief executive of the National Association for the Self-Employed:“The new tax reform law going into full effect this year is an enormous benefit to America’s self-employed and micro-business community nationwide. Due to this new tax law, millions of small business owners in every city and town across the country will save time and money with a new simplified tax filing system,” said Keith Hall. “The new tax reform package is another step closer to additional simplification of the tax code, allowing the small business community the ability to save, grow and expand.”

Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization:
“[Tonight’s] State of the Union Address provides the president an opportunity to stake out a position in favor of lowering out-of-pocket costs for American patients by embracing policies designed to reduce the role of middlemen and push insurers to cover the medicines their beneficiaries need,” said Greenwood. “While most Americans fill prescriptions for low-cost generic medicines, there is a growing number of patients with difficult health challenges who are being asked to pay an ever greater share of their prescription drug costs. The burden insurers and other middlemen are shifting on to the most vulnerable patients is fueling the affordability crisis we now face.”