The Montana Farm Bureau applauds today’s signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement. 

“I think this new U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement is great. It’s a win for all of agriculture whether you’re looking at beef, wheat, milk or other agricultural products,” said Montana Farm Bureau Federation President Hans McPherson.  

“President Donald Trump and Secretary Sonny Perdue have done a great service for all Americans in getting this done,” he noted “It’s exactly what President Trump set out to do with revising these trade deals and making them even better. It’s a win for Montana beef and wheat producers, as well as other commodities that have trade with our Neighbor to the North. In addition, we look forward to seeing trade agreements with other countries being approved soon.” 

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico increased from $8.9 billion to $39 billion under NAFTA. That boost provided important markets for farmers and ranchers whose productivity has only grown since the agreement was signed. USMCA keeps all those gains and adds improvements in many ag commodities.  

AFBF President Zippy Duvall said, “In every way, this new agreement is just as good, if not better than, the one that came before. We thank the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for all the hard work that went into this accord. 

Farm Bureau is still pushing hard for the end of trade wars and re-opening of markets. “As good as all this news is, farmers and ranchers still face retaliatory tariffs over steel and aluminum disputes with our North American neighbors and other trading partners,” Duvall said “We urge the administration to redouble its efforts to come to an agreement on those outstanding issues so we can regain the markets we had not long ago.”