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Ag coalitions defend USMCA as Trump signals doubts

Ag groups are expressing concern following President Trump saying he is not looking to renew the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement.

Farmers for Free Trade chairman Bob Hemesath, who farms in northeast Iowa, says failing to extend and strengthen USMCA would be a self-inflicted wound for American agriculture at the worst possible moment.

“The uncertainty of where we’re at with some of these other markets, and the uncertainty with war in the Middle East and the uncertainty of where fertilizer and fuel prices will be. But yeah, having those two markets and that certainty certainly helps alleviate some of the pressure on market access.”

A spokesperson for the Agricultural Coalition for USMCA called the agreement a signature accomplishment of the Trump administration and a critical economic driver for farmers and rural communities.

Hemesath tells Brownfield Canada and Mexico are critical markets for U.S. ag exports.

“Our message is just plain and simple is to maintain it. If there’s some changes that need to be made we understand that, but the overall agreement needs to stay in place and be extended.”

On Wednesday, President Trump told reporters at the White House the U.S. doesn’t need anything that Canada or Mexico has and that’s he’s not sure if he’s going to renew the agreement.

The USMCA is scheduled to undergo its first formal six-year joint review in July.