INDIANAPOLIS — President Donald Trump's Chief Foreign Affairs Adviser made a quick to Indianapolis Tuesday to address members attending the American Legion National Convention.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's speech was titled 'Celebrating Americanism in our Foreign Policy.' At title Pompeo says recognizes America is an exceptional nation and that our love of individual liberty and human dignity set us apart.
Pompeo spoke one-on-one with RTV6's Rafael Sanchez about a topic of great importance to Hoosier farmers: the trade war with China.
China is one of the top places where Hoosier farm products are sold in; it is fourth behind Canada, Mexico, and Japan.
In a recent survey of 450 farmers, Indiana Farm Bureau found that 72 percent of farmers are reporting that the current trade environment is jeopardizing their farm operation. Fifty-six percent of Hoosier farmers say they are not satisfied with the current trade situation.
Pompeo says the administration is well aware of the impact, but he could not offer a timetable on a resolution.
"If there is one thing I learned as Secretary of State [it] is that these things are complicated, there are bumpy roads," Pompeo said. "I watched our team; we are focused on this, we have to get China to allow reciprocal trade, so farmers products and intellectual property — that create value from Indiana farmers — all have to be protected from Chinese aggression and Chinese theft."
One figure shows that 26,500 Hoosier jobs are connected to trade with China. That is close to the individual populations in the cities of Franklin, Greenfield, and Shelbyville.
