Agricultural News
US Agricultural Groups Say House Ratification of USMCA Critically Important and Offers Pathway to Certainty and Stability on Trade
Thu, 19 Dec 2019 19:01:01 CST
The US Mexico Canada Agreement has passed with the greatest of ease by a final vote of 385 to 41 in the US House. With this vote, the US House has delivered President Donald Trump a major legislative victory just a day after his impeachment in the lower chamber.
It still must be approved by the Senate and that will come sometime in early 2020- but it will likely be easily approved by US Senators.
A tremendous amount of positive reaction has come in from the agricultural community- here are several of those reactions:
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:
USMEF applauds the House of Representatives for approving the implementing legislation for USMCA and the bipartisan effort by Congressional leaders and the Trump administration to bring USMCA to a House vote.
Ratification of USMCA is an important step in solidifying trade relations with Mexico and Canada, which are critical destinations for U.S. pork, beef and lamb. This agreement will bolster the United States' position as a reliable supplier to two leading markets that currently account for about one-third of all U.S. red meat exports. We look forward to the Senate taking up this legislation as soon as possible and completing the ratification process.
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National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) President Jennifer Houston issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives' approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a vote of 385-41:
"Today was a crucial win for all U.S. beef producers and a reassurance that U.S. beef will continue to have duty-free access to Canada and Mexico," said Houston. "A big thank-you goes to the Trump Administration and every lawmaker who voted to approve USMCA. Of course, there is still more work left to do, so I urge the Senate to swiftly pass the USMCA and send it to the President's desk."
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Michael Kelsey with the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association offered this reaction:
"The House passage of USMCA by an overwhelming margin is a great victory for the Oklahoma and US beef cattle industry. Canada and Mexico are two of our top five trading partners. We must keep growing our export markets in order to continue adding value to our cattle. This is a great step in that direction and we certainly want to thank all five of Oklahoma's Representatives for their yes votes. Now we need the Senate to take up USMCA post haste and send it to the President's desk for his signature. Senators Inhofe and Lankford have been strong supporters of beef trade and leaders in calling for USMCA to be passed. We thank them for their continued voice of reason and support!"
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Robert McKnight, Jr., president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):
"We applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for quickly passing USMCA. The broad, bipartisan support underscores just how important ratification of the agreement is, especially for American ranchers who will send billions of dollars of U.S. beef to Mexico and Canada thanks to the continuation of duty-free trade with our neighbors.
We urge the U.S. Senate to follow suit and swiftly ratify USMCA for American beef producers."
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The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall:
"Farm Bureau commends the House for approving the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. It was a bipartisan effort as shown by the overwhelming 385 to 41 vote, and we appreciate the work of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle in getting this deal done.
"This trade agreement could not come at a more critical time for U.S. agriculture. Farmers and ranchers have been hit with a perfect storm of low commodity prices, weather disasters, trade disruptions and a severe downturn in the farm economy. The USMCA will provide continuity in the growth of the North American market and will strengthen our trading relationships with Canada and Mexico, which are our number-one and number-two export markets, respectively.
"We are hopeful that USMCA can be a model for future U.S. trade agreements, as these modernized rules will be a strong guide for addressing continuing issues. We urge the Senate to quickly approve the USMCA."
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Following the U.S. House's approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel released the following statement:
"Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are optimistic after today's passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement, and we thank all five Oklahoma House members for their active support of the agreement.
"We now look to the Senate for swift approval in January as Oklahoma farmers and ranchers await a trade agreement that will help them receive fair prices for the commodities and products they grow and raise. Amidst very difficult times in the agricultural community from depressed commodity prices, ever-increasing production costs and natural disasters, today's approval of the historic trade deal by the House helps bring our state's farmers and ranchers a bit of peace of mind along with expanded international markets."
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Oklahoma pig farmers are thankful the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement. The trade deal will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. All five Oklahoma members of the House of Representatives voted yes on the deal.
USMCA addresses the world's largest trading area, one with a population of nearly 500 million people and a GDP of over $21 trillion. Since trade agreements were first initiated between the United States and its North American trading partners, Canada and Mexico have evolved into two of the largest export markets for U.S. pork products.
Pork producers rely on these two markets. Last year, Canada and Mexico took over 40 percent of the pork that was exported from the United States. The USMCA preserves zero-tariff trade for U.S. pork in North America.
Dottie King, president-elect of the okPORK board of directors, says finalizing the USMCA is a tremendous positive for Oklahoma pig farmers across the country.
"Oklahoma's hog farmers greatly appreciate the leadership shown by Oklahoma's Congressional delegation in supporting USMCA and voting yes on USMCA," said King. "Mexico represents one of the largest export markets for Oklahoma pork."
okPORK is pleased about the passing of USMCA through the House and encourages Oklahoma Senators to also vote yes on this deal.
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National Sorghum Producers Chairman Dan Atkisson, a sorghum farmer from Stockton, Kansas, made the following statement today after the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 385-41.
"USMCA provides a needed level of certainty for U.S. farmers and ranchers, and National Sorghum Producers appreciates the tenacity of our Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Congressional leaders to ensure American ag producers have a trade win to close out a very difficult year 2019. Passage in the House brings this deal one step closer to the finish line, and we encourage the Senate to follow early in the new year, so the agreement may be enacted as soon as possible."
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Farmers for Free Trade Co-Executive Director, Angela Hofmann released the following statement on passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by the U.S. House of Representatives. Farmers for Free Trade is a bipartisan coalition supported by America's leading agricultural commodity and business groups.
"This is a bipartisan victory for American farmers who have been craving a return to certainty and stability on trade. USMCA continues duty-free access to Canada and Mexico which has been a bedrock of U.S. ag export growth for over 25 years. USMCA also provides important new wins including expanded market access for poultry and dairy; provisions that require science-based decision making on trade; and advances in supporting 21st century agricultural innovations.
"Passage of this agreement in the House was not always certain, but thanks to the efforts of American farmers, USMCA will be implemented in 2020. Getting this agreement over the finish line required farmers and ranchers urging their representatives to work together in a way that's increasingly rare. Farmers for Free Trade was proud to help facilitate hundreds of those conversations, including during our 20,000 mile, 30 state tour of America in support of USMCA. We applaud Speaker Pelosi and the White House for working together to broker this agreement that is in the best interests of America. We urge the Senate to now take quick action to also ratify this agreement."
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U.S wheat growers are very pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) today. This past year, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates have forcefully spoken out on their behalf about the need for the USMCA.
"Agriculture desperately needed a win for economic recovery, and passing the USMCA was that win," said National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President and Lavon, Tex., farmer Ben Scholz. "NAWG applauds those Members of Congress for their support and hard work to advance this critical trade deal one step closer to the finish line. We encourage the Senate to follow its lead and pass this deal early in the new year."
"Mexico's flour millers import more U.S. wheat than any other country and they have been very anxious about the outcome of this trade agreement," said U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Chairman and Paulding, Ohio, farmer Doug Goyings. "At the end of a conference with those millers last June, we agreed to work together to get USMCA implemented. Our colleagues at NAWG have enthusiastically joined that effort on Capitol Hill and we thank them for their support."
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The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) praised the House of Representatives for today approving legislation implementing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
"USMCA will bring tangible benefits to the U.S. dairy industry by upgrading trade rules, opening the Canadian market to U.S. dairy exports and preserving our valuable market access in Mexico," said Tom Vilsack, president and CEO of USDEC. "Today's bipartisan vote is indicative of the need to immediately secure these benefits for dairy and all of agriculture."
"Today's vote brings us one step closer to finalizing USMCA and securing a more certain future for America's farmers and ranchers," said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. "It is imperative that the Senate act now to finalize USMCA."
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Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) president Dennis Slater issued the following statement after the United States House of Representatives passed implementing language to ratify the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA).
"With today's bipartisan House vote to ratify the USMCA, we're another step closer to securing a North American trade deal that works for U.S. farmers, equipment manufacturers, and hardworking American families," said Dennis Slater, president of AEM. "The USMCA will be a boon for our industry and the broader U.S. economy, adding up to $68 billion to our economy, creating 176,000 jobs, and preserving duty-free market access to our Canadian and Mexican trading partners. We now urge the Senate to follow the lower chamber's lead quickly when Congress returns in the new year."
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National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross today thanked members of the U.S. House of Representatives for their bipartisan approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Ross made the following statement.
"Corn farmers have been working toward this vote for nearly a year, sending emails, having meetings and making phone calls to their representatives in support of USMCA. All of agriculture should be incredibly proud to see these efforts pay off with such a strong, bipartisan vote. We wouldn't be at this stage in the ratification process without the hard work of individual farmers across the country. Ratifying USMCA has been NCGA's top legislative priority because Mexico and Canada are the U.S. corn industry's largest, most reliable markets.
"NCGA thanks members of the House for their votes in support, along with President Trump and his administration's continued efforts to come to a bipartisan consensus. It's now up to members of the U.S. Senate to quickly pass USMCA in the new year."
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The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) applauds the House passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) announced today because it will advance two of the most important markets for American farmers and agribusinesses.
"There is no doubt the House passage of USMCA is a win for America's farmers, agribusinesses and the communities they serve," says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. "This historic trade agreement will benefit agricultural retailers and their farmer customers by expanding market access and preserving zero-tariff platforms among ag products. The agreement is expected to increase ag exports and gross domestic product at a time when the ag economy sorely needs a boost."
Food and agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico amounted to more than $39.7 billion in 2018 and supported more than 325,000 American jobs, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"We applaud the efforts of the Trump administration and lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Frankly, we need more of this bipartisanship in Washington," says Coppock. "We look forward to the Senate taking swift action to finalize passage in the new year."
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