House Ag Dems, groups express concern about USMCA
House Agriculture Committee Democrats and some agriculture groups expressed concern today about President Trump’s decision announced Wednesday not to renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, and to instead engage in negotiations over its future.
In a letter to Julie Callahan, the chief agricultural trade negotiator and Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg, the House Agriculture Committee Democrats led by Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., the ranking member, wrote, “We are deeply concerned by President Trump’s decision not to renew USMCA and move towards ten years of annual review.”
“President Trump has said, ‘We don’t need anything that Canada has. We don’t need anything that Mexico has.’ American farmers and families disagree. Congress must be informed on how the administration reached this conclusion and how the administration plans to replace the export opportunities that will be lost without the certainty of a USMCA renewal.”
“Given Congress’ constitutional authority over foreign trade, and the importance of USMCA for U.S. agriculture, the lack of communication from the U.S. Trade Representative to the House Agriculture Committee has been unacceptable,” the letter said.
Farmers for Free Trade Board Chairman Bob Hemesath, an Iowa farmer, said, “We understand the goal of strengthening the agreement, and we support taking the time to get the details right — especially on dairy access to Canada and North American supply chains.”
“But farmers have to be part of the conversation as these talks move forward. Their livelihoods ride on the outcome, and their experience should help shape it. That is why Farmers for Free Trade is hosting roundtables in farm communities across the country, so the people who grow our food and rely on these markets are heard throughout this process,” Hemesath said.
The National Pork Producers Council said, “Ensuring USMCA remains intact is vital to continuing the mutually beneficial trading relationships U.S. pork enjoys with both Canada and Mexico.”
“While we would have liked to have seen immediate renewal of the USMCA, U.S. pork producers appreciate Ambassador [Jamieson] Greer’s commitment to staying at the negotiating table with Mexico and Canada to make sure U.S. pork’s market access is preserved.”
The International Fresh Produce Association said, “The United States’ decision not to renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement for an additional 16 years does not change the fact that USMCA remains the foundation of a strong, reliable North American produce market.”
“Extended negotiations introduce new uncertainty for an industry that relies on long-term planning and predictable trading relationships, underscoring the need for stability and certainty across the North American produce supply chain,” IFPA said.
“The International Fresh Produce Association supports finalizing USMCA negotiations and urges all three countries to preserve the benefits of a strong, predictable North American trading framework that strengthens grower competitiveness, supports food security, and keeps fresh produce moving efficiently across borders.”
In an analysis, Fresh Fruit Portal noted that Reuters said the U.S. has cited the expanding trade deficit with Mexico and Canada and the restoring of manufacturing jobs as the main points of dissent regarding the USMCA.
-The Hagstrom Report
