USDA estimates COVID-19 contributed to a $50 billion decline in commodity value alone for 2019, 2020 and 2021 production totals. This does not include all of agriculture’s losses, which would be billions more.

Montana Farm Bureau, who has been watching the trade deal closely since its inception and engaged with Montana’s Congressmen on its development, is pleased that all of the hard work with the trading partners will now come to fruition.

“I don’t know of any industry where trade is more important than agriculture,” said MFBF President Hans McPherson. The Stevensville farmer added, “With all of the turmoil going on in 2020, we have high hopes that the USMCA will provide the economic shot in the arm that agriculture needs, especially in Montana where we are neighbors with our closest trading partner.”

“The launch of the USMCA brings optimism to the country’s farmers and ranchers at a time they need it the most,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to build on the success of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and we’re eager to see the results on America’s farms. It’s important that our neighbors uphold their end of the deal, so the agreement provides a stabilizing force amid the unpredictability of a pandemic in all three countries.”

Under USMCA, Canada will increase quotas on U.S. dairy products, benefitting American dairy farmers by $242 million.  Canada will also treat wheat imports the same as domestic wheat for grading purposes. Mexico has also agreed that all grading standards for ag products will be non-discriminatory. The agreement also enhances science-based trading standards among the three nations.

USMCA is not a magic bullet for all the challenges facing agriculture, however. A University of Florida study shows Mexico gaining ground in imports of produce like tomatoes, strawberries and bell peppers. USMCA does not alter the rules for imports of produce from Mexico. Farm Bureau supports the United States Trade Representative and USDA field hearings to receive grower input on the issue.

“As with all trade agreements, there are some areas that still need attention,” said Duvall. “We will continue to work with the administration to level the playing field for fruit and vegetable growers facing increased competition from Mexico.”

In 2019, Mexico was our nation's largest overall trading partner followed by Canada. That same year Canada was America's number-one trading partner for agricultural products followed by Mexico.