Farm Groups Urge Renewal of USMCA Trade Pact

Warn of Economic Shock to Rural America if Agreement is Unraveled

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

As Washington prepares to review the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this summer, a coalition of farm and food groups is mounting a defense of the trade pact, warning that unraveling it would destabilize North America's integrated agricultural economy at a time when producers are already facing financial strain.

Why it matters

The USMCA has delivered measurable gains for U.S. agricultural producers since taking effect in 2020, with exports to Canada and Mexico increasing by $20 billion and supporting nearly 500,000 full-time jobs. Allowing the agreement to lapse could disrupt supply chains, reduce market access, and further strain rural communities already facing economic challenges.

The details

The Agricultural Coalition for the USMCA, a broad alliance of farm organizations, exporters and supply chain groups, has released an economic analysis highlighting the agreement's benefits. The study found that USMCA-linked trade supports $64 billion in U.S. GDP and $13 billion in tax revenue. While farm groups are defending the agreement's framework, they are also pressing for targeted fixes during the review, such as ensuring Canada upholds its dairy market access commitments and reinforcing science-based trade disciplines with Mexico.

  • The USMCA took effect in 2020, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement.
  • The three countries are required to begin the USMCA renewal process by July 2026 under the agreement's six-year joint review mechanism.
  • U.S. agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico have increased by $20 billion since USMCA implementation, reaching $60 billion in 2024.

The players

Agricultural Coalition for the USMCA

A broad alliance of farm organizations, exporters and supply chain groups that is defending the USMCA trade pact.

Krista Swanson

Chief economist for the National Corn Growers Association and co-author of the report on the economic impacts of the USMCA.

Shawna Morris

Executive vice president of trade policy for the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

Nancy Martinez

Director of policy at the National Corn Growers Association.

Alexis Taylor

Chief global policy officer for the International Fresh Produce Association.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Without USMCA, U.S. agriculture would lose a critical source of stability, face reduced market access and have fewer opportunities at a time when rural America can least afford disruption.”

— Krista Swanson, Chief economist, National Corn Growers Association (americanagnetwork.com)

“USMCA is an extremely strong agreement, but it's not perfect. The USMCA review offers an unmissable opportunity to make some targeted enhancements so the agreement can live up to its full intended potential.”

— Shawna Morris, Executive vice president of trade policy, National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council (americanagnetwork.com)

“These outcomes reflect the value of a trade framework that provides certainty for perishable products that must move quickly and predictably across the North American continent.”

— Alexis Taylor, Chief global policy officer, International Fresh Produce Association (americanagnetwork.com)

What’s next

The three countries are required to begin the USMCA renewal process by July 2026 under the agreement's six-year joint review mechanism.

The takeaway

The USMCA has provided stability and growth for U.S. agriculture, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity. As policymakers prepare to review the agreement, farm groups are urging its renewal to maintain the integrated North American agricultural market and avoid disrupting rural communities already facing economic challenges.