Farm Bureaus Want USMCA Vote

Pressure is mounting on Congress to pass USMCA.  Indiana state Farm Bureau president Randy Kron said passing USMCA is just common sense.

“If we want deals with other countries, we got to show that we can make some deals.  And you know, it’s just to me, common sense, Mexico and Canada, being trading partners, logistically, Mexico is #1 on corn, and they want some ethanol, we need to cut a deal, get the trade barriers down, and let’s get some commodities moving.”

Kron added the pressure is there to get the deal done.  But, the big question, is when will it happen?

“Congressman [Collin] Peterson, chair of the House Ag committee, he was optimistic.  He said, it wasn’t going to happen quick, not before August break, but he was confident they’d get there by the end of the year, before the recess.  His caucus is the one that’s going to control when they vote and what they do, and I do believe him he’s working pretty hard, he knows this is key to agriculture here in the U.S.”

Mexico is a top destination for American dairy, wheat and apples.  Supporters of USMCA said the entire deal is worth an estimated $2.1 billion for American Ag.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com