RealAg Radio: Examining Canada’s Caution and Mexico’s Momentum Heading into USMCA Review

Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, outlines potential risks for agriculture as negotiations continue between the two countries

CALGARY, ALBERTA (RFD NEWS) — The countdown is underway for the upcoming USMCA review, as early discussions raise questions about how Canada and Mexico are approaching negotiations.

Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to discuss the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and recent trade developments and potential conflict between the three North American countries.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Haney says Mexico has been more active in working toward solutions, taking a more aggressive approach to resolving disagreements. Canada, on the other hand, appears to be moving at a slower pace despite still supporting the deal.

He notes there is some risk the agreement could shift away from a three-country structure toward more bilateral arrangements, though he believes much of the current rhetoric is part of the negotiation process.

“At the end of the day, all three countries here, whether it’s bilateral or a trilateral deal, are at a time when affordability is so critical to consumers inside North America that a trade deal is important to be closed here,” Haney said.

From an agricultural perspective, Haney says Canadian farmers could face the greatest risk in areas such as dairy market access and the country’s crop variety registration system as talks continue.

Catch Shaun Haney weekdays on RealAg Radio, which airs at 4:30 PM ET on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Related Stories
Traders say that shift could eventually prompt the USDA to scale back soybean export projections, noting the outlook differs greatly for other grain commodities.
Often overlooked, cotton wholesalers act as stabilizers during market stress, translating fragmented retail demand into workable production programs for mills and manufacturers.
Early indications suggest the U.S. cattle industry may be nearing the end of its liquidation phase. Oklahoma State University livestock economist Dr. Derrell Peel says the industry could be at or near the cyclical low.
Reliable waterways lower costs, protect export demand, and support long-term farm profitability.
USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg joined us with a recap of the Malaysia trade mission and a look at USDA’s broader trade strategy moving forward.
Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition shares how extreme winter weather is affecting the ag transportation network and what producers should keep in mind as conditions slowly improve.