Importance of Trade

August 6, 2020
A bridge over a river with a barge in the background

Katie Smith, Communication Intern at IL Corn, sat down with Collin Watters, Director of Exports and Logistics, and asked him a couple questions about trade. Find out more about Collin and why he thinks trade is so important.

 

Katie: How did you get to the position you are in today?

Collin:
 In college I participated in an exchange program in Brazil. It was really powerful to see life in another part of the world and better understand the similarities and differences between countries. I went on to work for a trade organization right out of college and subsequent jobs led me here. But it all started with that exchange trip.

Katie: If you had to summarize the importance of trade in one sentence, what would it be?

Collin: 
Trade promotes prosperity and prosperity promotes peace.

Katie:
 Who benefits from trade? 

Collin:
 On average, everyone benefits. Producers can reach consumers around the world and consumers can buy competitively priced goods and services. Trade encourages an efficient and effective marketplace and has contributed to an incredible decline in extreme global poverty.

Katie:
 What is the most challenging part of trade for countries like the U.S.?

Collin:
 Constantly changing markets and crop years are challenging, but trade agreements help give things certainty. 

Katie:
 If someone was only going to remember one point about the importance of trade, what would you want that to be?

Collin:
 Trade impacts everyone’s life in some way or another but we don’t always realize it. I hope more people get interested in trade. 


Collin is an expert in trade and market relations. He works to find additional markets for Illinois’ corn. Illinois exports 42% of its corn crop making trade a top priority for IL Corn.

corn
By Lydia Rogers July 14, 2025
Debunking Myths
headshot of Shelby Watson
By Tara Desmond July 14, 2025
We recently caught up with Shelby Watson following the announcement of her promotion to Director, The Americas & Allied Industry Programs at USAPEEC. In her expanded role, Shelby is taking on new responsibilities across Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Crops destroyed by storm
By Lyndi Allen July 10, 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the new Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, providing assistance to farmers with crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
Illinois exports map around the world
By Lyndi Allen July 10, 2025
Trade is top priority for IL Corn as it plays a critical role in driving demand for U.S. corn—especially when considering meat and meat products.
Richard Lyons Illinois farmer
By Tara Desmond July 10, 2025
By 1987, Lyons fully committed to continuous no-till, purchasing a no-till drill and eliminating tillage from his operation altogether. Over time, he invested not in tillage tools or extra horsepower, but in better planters, sprayers, combines and field tile. Equipment and management that supported his soil-first minds
Farmer Clint Gorden with quote
By Tara Desmond July 9, 2025
Through programs like IL Corn’s Cover Crop Coupon, farmers are empowered to adopt conservation practices that build healthier, more resilient farms for the next 10 years and beyond.
Show More