Many in the Ag community breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday when news came that House Democrats and the White House had reached an agreement allowing USMCA to progress to the House Floor for a vote.  Central Washington's Dan Newhouse said he was in a meeting with fellow Republicans when word came down Tuesday, and several in the room cheered.

 

loading...

"People were very happy that finally, an agreement has been reached that we can move the USMCA forward," Newhouse said.  "In my opinion, it's been ready to go for over a year, and we've been trying very hard to get it brought up on the floor for a vote, and so this if good news to finally be able to do that.  This is huge, for the country, but certainly the state of Washington."

 

Newhouse said nationally, USMCA will mean the addition of 200,000 to 500,000 new jobs.  And with agricultural sales already over $2 billion to Canada and Mexico, he anticipates that figure will move higher.

In Washington, he noted the state's dairy and wine industries will be some of the top winners with the updated NAFTA.  He added this gives all Washington producers, regardless of commodity, confidence moving forward.

 

"[It] help set the stage for other trade agreements with other countries to also be successful," the Central Washington Republican continued.  "People will see that the United States is serious about completing these agreements.  I think we're going to get a lot of these other ones done, in the near future.  And the big one that I thinking of there is China obviously."

 

The Washington Council on International Trade also expressed encouragement at Tuesday's news:

 

"The USMCA or the “new NAFTA” is critical for Washington State’s interests and is a much-needed positive step in an otherwise uncertain trade environment.

 

Trade with Mexico and Canada currently accounts for 330,00 jobs across the State.  WCIT has been an active supporter of USMCA’s passage given the implications for Washington State trade and the interests of WCIT members.

 

Last December, we enumerated the many “wins” in the USMCA for WCIT interests in a detailed report.  We will look closely at the results secured and will work with our Congressional delegation as they consider the new agreement and the compromises reached between the White House and House Democrats announced today."

 

 

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

More From PNW Ag Network