US Farmers and Ag Industry Defend USMCA Trade Pact

Leaders stress importance of renewing landmark North American trade deal

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:10am

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Leaders from the agriculture, manufacturing, and technology sectors gathered in Washington, D.C. this week to emphasize the importance of renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the landmark trade deal set to enter its formal review period. Industry voices highlighted how the agreement has bolstered North American trade and provided stability for businesses across multiple sectors.

Why it matters

The USMCA trade deal has been crucial for American farmers and agricultural producers, providing certainty and predictability for their businesses as they export to key markets in Mexico and Canada. As the agreement enters a review period, there are concerns that changes or withdrawal could disrupt supply chains and hurt the U.S. agriculture industry.

The details

The discussion, co-hosted by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the National Foreign Trade Council, brought together industry leaders to stress the benefits of the USMCA agreement. Speakers emphasized that the deal has created a more stable trade environment for manufacturers and agricultural producers.

  • The USMCA trade deal is set to enter its formal review period.

The players

Matt Frostic

A Michigan farmer and first vice president of the National Corn Growers Association.

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)

A leading agriculture industry group that co-hosted the discussion on the importance of the USMCA trade deal.

National Foreign Trade Council

An organization that co-hosted the discussion on the USMCA trade deal with the NCGA.

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What they’re saying

“USMCA has been incredibly important to farmers like me. Mexico and Canada are two of our most important trading partners, and the certainty of this agreement allows farmers to plan, invest, and continue feeding and fueling the world.”

— Matt Frostic, Michigan farmer and first vice president of the NCGA (Hoosier Ag Today)

“As the agreement enters its review period, it's crucial that policymakers reinforce the provisions that work so American agriculture can continue to grow.”

— Matt Frostic, Michigan farmer and first vice president of the NCGA (Hoosier Ag Today)

What’s next

The USMCA trade deal is set to enter a formal review period, during which policymakers will evaluate the agreement and determine whether to renew or make changes to it.

The takeaway

The USMCA trade deal has been a critical component of stability and growth for the U.S. agriculture industry, providing certainty for farmers and producers as they export to key markets in Mexico and Canada. As the agreement enters a review period, there are concerns that changes or withdrawal could disrupt supply chains and hurt the American agriculture sector.