Page 56 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2025

News from the Hill

Over 100 Lawmakers Call on the Administration to
Protect USMCA’s Ag Benefits
Last week, more than 100 House bipartisan members
sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
underscoring the importance of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada
Agreement (USMCA) ahead of next year’s joint review. Led
by Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE-03), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19),
Dusty Johnson (R-SD-At-Large), and Jim Costa (D-CA-21), the
lawmakers highlighted USMCA’s strong economic record,
noting that U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico and Canada
have increased by $10.7 billion and $7.6 billion, respectively,
since the agreement entered into force. The letter urges the
administration to protect these gains, avoid changes that
could disrupt cross-border trade, and fully enforce existing
obligations.
For the horticulture industry specifically, USMCA remains
foundational, ensuring duty-free movement of critical
inputs and plant material across North America and
supporting a stable, predictable supply chain for growers.
With the upcoming review set to determine whether the

56 WINTER 2025 • Free State News