On Monday, former Secretary of Agriculture and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack visited Iowa. He talked about the United States ? Mexico ? Canada Agreement (USMCA) and heard from Iowa commodity groups about their need for free trade with Mexico and Canada.
Iowa agriculture is dependent on our ability to move our products around the world. Iowa Cattlemen?s Association CEO Matt Deppe says free trade with our North American neighbors is worth $1.8 billion to the beef industry.
Drew Mogler is the Public Policy Director for the Iowa Pork Producers. He says Iowa exported about $700 million dollars? worth of pork to Canada and Mexico. Mexico is the number one volume market for U.S. pork.
Iowa Turkey Federation Executive Director Gretta Irwin highlighted how important trade with Mexico and Canada is for the Turkey Industry.
Michael Dolch is the Public Affairs Director for the Iowa Soybean Association. He says under the North American Trade Agreement, soybean exports to Mexico have quadrupled. Exports to Canada have doubled. With Trade uncertainty with our number one market in China, some certainty is needed somewhere.
Sarah Bowman is the Iowa Poultry Association Director of Industry Affairs. She says their producers are working tirelessly to tell their representatives about the importance of USMCA.
Iowa State Dairy Association Executive Director Mitch Schulte highlighted the need for USMCA for the dairy industry.
Iowa Renewable Fuels Executive Director Monte Shaw says losing the Mexican markets would be like shutting down three and a half Iowa ethanol plants.
Secretary Vilsack put this in perspective when he commented on what would happen if free trade fell apart with Mexico and Canada.
