Farm Bureau Pushes for USMCA Renewal

Farm leaders say renewing the trade agreement is critical to protecting agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico.

Washington, D.C. (RFD News) — Farm groups are urging the renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ahead of its scheduled review in early July.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says Canada and Mexico are America’s largest agricultural trading partners and that the agreement has benefited both farmers and consumers.

“Canada and Mexico are by far America’s largest trading partners. Together, they spend almost $60 billion on agricultural products every year. And the agreement benefits America’s families, too. A recent study by Purdue University shows that without USMCA, families would have paid $700 more per year on groceries.”

Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall recently traveled to Mexico, where he thanked the country’s agricultural community for being strong customers of U.S. agriculture.

“American agriculture needs to let the president know how important USMCA is to us. The president cares about American agriculture. He cares about rural America. 97% of rural counties voted for President Trump. So we need to remind him how important this is. For Kansas, our exports to Mexico increased 50%. For Kansas agriculture, Mexico and Canada have replaced China as our number one and two export markets. So we just need to remind him of that, how important it is. He’s negotiating out there, negotiating for a better deal as well.”

Marshall adds it’s easier to keep a good customer than to go find a new one.

The USMCA is scheduled for review during the first week of July.

Related Stories
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities discusses fall harvest conditions, USDA’s October WASDE report, grain demand, and post-harvest storage.
Global inventories and ongoing USMCA talks are adding uncertainty to the fertilizer market.
Lower-cost grains are replacing corn in livestock feed as China’s hog sector weakens.
Below-normal inventories are expected to keep pressure on diesel prices through the winter.
NCBA’s Ethan Lane says the labeling policy would increase expenses for producers without driving demand.
Federal officials are examining claims of barriers to new competitors in fertilizer markets.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The Georgia SAF Coalition is working to turn the state’s crops and timber into a new source of jet fuel.
Texas ag teacher Shawn Rejcek has built a social media following by sharing his experiences in the classroom.
The Central Region vice president shares what she hopes members take away from convention.
Rudd Farm grows more than 60 varieties, with new pumpkins and gourds added each year.
The funding covers Operation Lone Star costs, but there is no indication the money will go to rural communities or ranchers.
The agency has already signed $860 million in conservation contracts this year.
Farm Bureau is backing the EPA proposal as the agency works toward a final rule.
Soybean plants are facing tighter supplies after wet weather slowed harvest.
Farmers are growing less optimistic about their financial outlook.
The upgrade will give farmers online access to loan balances and payments.
The company is also supporting FFA through its annual convention shirts.
Farmers are gaining trust as concerns about food costs and misinformation grow.