Agriculture groups defend North American trade deal
More than 125 leading agriculture and food organizations have joined the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) in urging the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to protect the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The coalition emphasized the trade deal’s importance in supporting U.S. producers and called for caution before making any modifications ahead of the scheduled review in July 2026.
In its comments, the NPPC highlighted that the USMCA has been vital for the pork industry’s long-term success. The United States exported nearly $2.6 billion in pork to Mexico and $853 million to Canada in 2024, making them the first and fourth largest export destinations for American pork, respectively.
Agriculture and food groups pointed out that USMCA provisions have streamlined trade, improved transparency, and strengthened science-based regulations through sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The agreement’s dispute settlement chapter has also helped resolve trade barriers that could otherwise destabilize U.S. export markets.
The organizations stressed that the USMCA has expanded market access for numerous U.S. commodities, strengthened rural economies, and enhanced regional food security. They cautioned that altering its framework could disrupt North American supply chains that have become deeply integrated since the deal’s inception.
Between 2005 and 2023, agrifood trade among the United States, Canada, and Mexico tripled in value to reach $285 billion, showing how crucial the agreement has been in maintaining stable trade relationships.
The groups concluded that any change to the agreement must be carefully considered to safeguard economic stability and ensure continued prosperity for farmers and food producers across North America.
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