Image courtesy of the NCGA.
Forty farm and agricultural groups, and growing, today launched the
Agricultural Coalition for the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement,
underscoring the accord’s vital role as an economic engine for the U.S.
farm economy and calling for its renewal with targeted improvements.
As part of the launch, the group unveiled a new website and kicked off
an aggressive ad campaign in the nation’s capital, all of which is
designed to promote the benefits afforded to the U.S. food and
agriculture sector under the USMCA as the administration approaches the
2026 mandatory review.
“USMCA is one of President Trump’s signature achievements and one
that has significantly propelled the ag economy,” said Bryan Goodman, a
spokesperson for the new group. “We are not saying it’s perfect, as some
changes are warranted, but we are saying it is of paramount importance
to farmers that all three countries renew the agreement.”
USMCA was signed by the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2018
during President Trump’s first term and was implemented in 2020 to
replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The agreement has significantly increased U.S. agriculture exports to
Canada and Mexico, provided more certainty between the three nations and
created a mechanism for resolving trade disputes.
Under the agreement, leaders of all three nations must begin a formal
review by July 2026 to determine whether to renew. If renewed, the
agreement would remain in effect for an additional 16 years, with
another review scheduled in 2032. If the countries fail to reach an
agreement and move to terminate, USMCA will expire in 2036. The review
could also enter a period of annual consultations with no clear path
forward, creating significant uncertainty for the farm economy.
The Trump administration, while indicating the renewal of USMCA is not guaranteed, has acknowledged it has been successful to a certain degree.
“Our farmers make decisions a year or more in advance,” Goodman said.
“They need the certainty of knowing USMCA is here to stay.”
Advocates say President Trump made a major contribution to U.S. trade when he conceptualized and signed the agreement.
“We want to protect this agreement and build on what President Trump
started in his first term,” Goodman said. “We are confident we will be
able to share the facts and farmer testimony that will help the Trump
administration benefit rural communities throughout the process of the
2026 Review.”
On February 10 at 11 a.m. (EST), the Agricultural Coalition for USMCA will be hosting a zoom press conference to release findings of an economic report on the USMCA. To register, RSVP here.
Read more from the National Corn Grower's Association here.