The USMCA must be reviewed by July 2026. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said preparations are already underway.
“The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office has solicited comments from all kinds of people in industry, what they think of the opportunities for changes in the agreement. Our Trade Representative, Ambassador Greer, has been briefing the various committees on what the objectives of the government will be going forward.”
Salmonsen said the upcoming renegotiations are a great opportunity to improve the agreement between the three North American neighbors.
“We were not satisfied with how Canada implemented any improvements in dairy product access from the U.S. in the USMCA. We also have had problems over the many years with seasonal import surges, primarily seasonal produce from Mexico. That is what we want to see addressed when the countries come together.”
He said the three countries will meet behind the scenes during the runup to July.
“Folks from the various trade and other agencies and their governments will get together to work on the issues and prepare, hopefully, an agreement that they can discuss in July. And in Congress, they’ll expect hearings from the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate, from the Finance Committee, perhaps other committees.”