WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard announced the first round of bilateral discussions in preparation for the Joint Review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The ministers instructed negotiators to begin a scoping discussion on the necessary measures to ensure the benefits of the Agreement accrue primarily to the parties, including by reducing dependence on imports from outside the region, strengthening rules of origin, and enhancing the security of North American supply chains. Ministers expect negotiators to hold the first meeting the week of March 16 and meet regularly thereafter as part of the Joint Review.
In response to this development, Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Jed Bower released the following statement:
“Mexico and Canada aren’t just trading partners. They are the backbone of export demand for American corn growers. Mexico is the number one market for U.S. corn, and Canada is the top market for U.S. ethanol. As this review process moves forward, maintaining strong, reliable North American markets will be critical to keeping America’s corn growers competitive. We appreciate the progress announced today and look forward to working with our partners across North America to ensure USMCA continues to deliver for farmers, rural communities, and the U.S. economy.”
