Farm Bureau President Duvall talks with Mexican trade officials

by | Jul 23, 2021 | 5 Ag Stories, News

When we negotiate trade agreements like the United States ? Mexico ? Canada Agreement (USMCA), the work doesn?t end once the deals are signed. They are only just starting. The groundwork is laid for future talks on trade issues because the parameters are now defined. The best trade partners always find ways to talk out differences and where they can improve, within the confines of the agreement. It also helps to meet with those who are your suppliers and consumers, to find out what they are looking for and have to offer.

Recently, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall met with a trade delegation from Mexico. That delegation included Tatiana Clouthier, Mexico?s Secretary of the Economy, and Esteban Moctezuma Barragon, Mexico?s Ambassador to the United States. According to Dave Salmonsen, AFBF Senior Director of Congressional Relations, Ag trade was at the center of those talks.

AFBF felt it was important to talk about the challenges being seen in trade between the United States and Mexico in the Ag Arena. They discussed glyphosate, which Mexico wants to phase out the use of glyphosate-treated corn in their products. With Mexico being a large buyer of corn and the United States being a user of the product, it looks to be a sticking point in the future. Duvall also talked about the slow pace at which Mexico approves biotechnology products.

Seasonal produce has also been a hot topic, especially in the Southeastern part of the country. Duvall talked about how the flood of Mexican products into the United States is decimating our own production, However, Mexico countered that in a free-trade agreement, they have just as much right to have market access.

They also discussed the safety at the border for everyone involved. Migrants and producers in the region.