WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today issued the following statement regarding the announcement of a United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):
“The great news of a new USMCA deal is important for our economy as a whole, including the agricultural sector, which counts Canada and Mexico in our top three trading partners. I have long said that I believe our country is located in the best neighborhood on Earth – North America – with valuable allies to our north and south. We have secured greater access to these vital markets and will maintain and improve the highly productive integrated agricultural relationship we have as nations. Notably, as one of the President’s top goals, this deal eliminates Canada’s unfair ‘Class 7’ milk pricing scheme, cracks open additional access to U.S. dairy into Canada, and imposes new disciplines on Canada’s supply management system. The agreement also preserves and expands critical access for U.S. poultry and egg producers and addresses Canada’s discriminatory wheat grading process to help U.S. wheat growers along the border become more competitive.
“As we celebrate this breakthrough, it is worth noting that there were many detractors who said it couldn’t be done. But this is further proof that President Trump’s trade negotiation strategy is working. A renewed USMCA, a new KORUS agreement, and the continued progress with Japan, can lead to further deals with other trading partners like the European Union and China. The dominoes are falling and it is good news for U.S. farmers. I thank President Trump and our U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Lighthizer for their perseverance, leadership, and hard work.”
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley said via Twitter, “1st reading of midnight agreement btwn Canada Mexico & US looks very favorable to American + Iowa agriculture I’ll get back to u after we have a more in depth briefing if there’s any changing of my positive view Pres Trump’s tough negotiation position may b paying off.”
President Trump was euphoric, saying via Twitter, “Congratulations to Mexico and Canada! Late last night, our deadline, we reached a wonderful new Trade Deal with Canada, to be added into the deal already reached with Mexico. The new name will be The United States Mexico Canada Agreement, or USMCA. It is a great deal for all three countries, solves the many deficiencies and mistakes in NAFTA, greatly opens markets to our Farmers and Manufacturers, reduces Trade Barriers to the U.S. and will bring all three Great Nations together in competition with the rest of the world. The USMCA is a historic transaction!”
FACT SHEETS
- USMCA trade fact sheet on Strengthening North American Trade in Agriculture.
- USMCA trade fact sheet on Market Access and Dairy Outcomes.
1st reading of midnight agreement btwn Canada Mexico & US looks very favorable to American + Iowa agriculture I’ll get back to u after we have a more in depth briefing if there’s any changing of my positive view Pres Trump’s tough negotiation position may b paying off
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) October 1, 2018
Congratulations to Mexico and Canada!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2018
Considering that most of the agreements in this ‘new’ deal were negotiated during President Obama’s term and in the TTP, it isn’t Trump’s achievement
Dullard.
Ha, ha, ha, more liberal lying B.S.
What? No snarky comments by the lefty losers?