NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Agricultural industry leaders gathered this week to show support for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The meeting, hosted by the Ag Coalition for USMCA, included heads of several large organizations across all sectors of the ag industry, including the National Corn Growers Association, National Milk Producers Federation, and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA).
According to Alexis Taylor, IFPA Chief Global Policy Officer and former USDA trade undersecretary, the fruit and vegetable trade between the U.S. and Mexico is valuable and directly supports the Trump Administration’s goal of improving overall health.
“You can’t do that without fruits and veggies, right? We should be half of your diet,” Taylor says. “I think anything that really could jeopardize that trilateral nature, ultimately will. We’re concerned [it will] have impacts on our producers, that entire supply chain, the distribution networks, to retail, to ultimately those end-consumers.”
Taylor says one of the key points the Ag Coalition for USMCA’s report highlights is the trilateral nature of the USMCA and outlines the economic benefits it brings to U.S. farmers and ranchers.
“The long‑term success of USMCA is a top priority for our members,” said Taylor. “Since the agreement took effect, fresh U.S. fruit export values have increased by 34%, while U.S. vegetable exports have grown by 14%. These gains highlight the tangible value USMCA delivers across the fresh produce supply chain and reinforce the importance of a strong, integrated North American trade environment.”
Lawmakers are also weighing in on the importance of USMCA. In a call with reporters this week, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said there is no question whether the North American trade pact should remain in place.
“That ought to be reauthorized for the full extent, and it should be done yesterday, not tomorrow,” Sen. Grassley said. “I’ve been pretty clear on that. Now, there are some things [...] that may need to be fine-tuned. But for the most part, the dramatic improvement in exports for American farmers to Mexico, and to a lesser extent Canada, is so great that it should be unquestioned that it should be extended.”
USMCA was brokered by President Donald Trump during his first term, replacing NAFTA. It is set for official review in July.
Read the Ag Coalition for USMCA’s economic impact report: PDF Version
