WASHINGTON, D.C. – Six years after the signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), its mandatory Joint Review is quickly approaching. Under its terms, the United States, Mexico, and Canada are required to complete an assessment of the trade agreement by July 1 and jointly decide whether to extend it through 2042.
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Boozman (R-AR), Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and 36 other Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer emphasizing their commitment to securing an agreement to more strongly support American agriculture.
“The United States is currently the world’s largest agricultural exporter, with total agricultural exports valued at $176 billion in 2024,” the senators wrote. “Since the Agreement’s entry-into-force, U.S. agricultural exports have increased substantially, particularly to Canada and Mexico. For many states, Canada and Mexico represent the largest and second-largest export markets. The market access achieved under USMCA is a critical component of the success of American agriculture and contributes to our secure food supply chain and to the global competitiveness of U.S. producers. Bulk commodities, like wheat, corn, and oilseeds, maintain a strong trade surplus with Canada and Mexico. Farmers, ranchers, processors, and exporters throughout the supply chain have been broadly supportive of USMCA and the certainty it provides.
“American family farmers and ranchers depend on the certainty afforded by a stable Agreement,” the senators continued. “The integrated supply chains facilitated by streamlined compliance requirements, effective rules governing food safety measures, and intellectual property protections have allowed the U.S. to build a fortified trading network here in the Western Hemisphere. Our close proximity to dependable markets based on rules-based, science-driven commitments from our trading partners is critical for domestic producers.
“As preparations begin for the upcoming joint review process, we encourage continued engagement with Congress, farmers, and ranchers to ensure the agreement is improved to support U.S. agriculture and maintain strong market access for American producers,” the senators concluded.
The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Mark Warner (D-VA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Todd Young (R-IN).
Click here for the letter.
