NATCHEZ — U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said Saturday he believes the United States’ business tax structures need to be revised in a way that makes them stand out on the world stage.

“I hope in the next few years we can make the American tax system more internationally competitive,” said Wicker, R-Mississippi.

“We’ve seen in the last few years numerous examples of businesses that have gone overseas — or even just to Canada — because those places are more competitive, tax-wise. We’ve gotten out of business competitiveness with our tax system.”

Wicker’s comments were made at the Natchez-Adams County Port, which he was touring as part of a fact-finding trip around the state. The tour included stops at the port’s industrial developments and key infrastructure sites, such as the T-dock.

“I am very encouraged about the potential for job creation here,” Wicker said.

The senator said his statewide fact-finding mission included examining the state’s resources along the Mississippi River.

“We have had a turbulent half-decade on the river, with high water and low water and lots of dredging needs,” he said.

“We are glad that (the U.S. Congress) was able to get the water resources bill funding, and we want to work with the state to make sure the bill as implemented properly and the port can get what it needs.”

Port Director Anthony Hauer said the port is positioned to be the shipping hub for the state with river, rail and road resources.

“We are here to stay,” he said. “We are now 60-plus years old, and we are not done yet.”

Natchez Inc. Chairwoman Sue Stedman said any help the Senator could give for the port to get a levee to protect it’s low-lying areas outside the main ring levee would be appreciated.

Wicker said while he and his colleagues on Capitol Hill have pledged not to include earmarks for specific projects with the water resources bill, he is happy to work with regulatory agencies and help with grant requests.

The port is home to the steel tank and tankhead fabrication facility housing Great River Industries and pulp recycler von Drehle — which is in the process of expanding into paper manufacturing — as well as Genesis Energy and Elevance Renewable Sciences, among others.

Elevance is in the construction phase of building its second world-scale biorefinery, which will produce chemicals used in personal care products, detergents and cleaners, lubricants and additives, engineered polymers and other specialty chemicals markets.