North American Agricultural Groups Urge Unchanged USMCA, Warn of Vulnerability

More than 160 agricultural organizations across North America have sent a joint letter to the trade ministers of Mexico, the United States, and Canada, urging them to maintain the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) without changes. The signatories, representing farmers, producers, distillers, ranchers, fishermen, agribusinesses, grain operators, exporters, animal health specialists, agricultural cooperatives, and retailers, emphasized the substantial benefits the USMCA provides and its role in strengthening regional agri-food security.

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Without this trade agreement (USMCA), North America is more vulnerable to countries that apply restrictive trade policies that negatively affect the movement of food from regions with surpluses to regions with deficits.

The organizations expressed concern that without the current trade agreement, North America would become more susceptible to nations employing restrictive trade policies that hinder the movement of food from surplus to deficit regions. This warning was highlighted in a document led by Mexico's National Agricultural Council.

In their letter to Mexico's Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Canadian Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc, the groups underscored the region's status as one of the world's largest trading blocs. With over 500 million people, a GDP of $30 trillion, and $1.7 trillion in trade volume, North America's integrated agricultural sector relies on predictable and cooperative trade relations.

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The USMCA is key to maintaining a global competitive advantage that reduces dependence on distant supply chains and fosters investment throughout the region.

The USMCA is deemed key to maintaining a global competitive advantage, reducing reliance on distant supply chains, and encouraging investment throughout the region. The agreement's framework protects these advantages by ensuring stability and predictability, which are vital for farmers and businesses planning for the future. The organizations stressed that as the USMCA evolves, it is crucial to avoid generating market uncertainty and instability that could negatively impact the entire North American economy.

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Preserving the full trilateral framework of the agreement protects these advantages, as the integrated nature of North American agriculture depends on predictable and cooperative trade relations among the three countries.

Jorge Esteva, president of the National Agricultural Council, stated that approximately 90% of Mexican agricultural organizations signed the letter. He explained that they are advocating for the USMCA to remain unchanged because a "fragile balance" exists within agricultural trade that could be disrupted by altering the rules. They fear that changes could negatively affect the exchange of agricultural goods.

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The USMCA reduces costs and its provisions create stability and predictability, elements vital that farmers and companies need to plan for the future.