Ernst: Iowans Want the USMCA Now
Iowans in all corners of the state have made it clear to the senator that they want to see this trade deal with Mexico and Canada wrapped-up
RED OAK, Iowa—During August, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, crisscrossed the state on her 99 County Tour, including holding 11 town halls, hearing from Iowans in all corners of the state about the need for Congress to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Click here or on the image above for a video of Senator Ernst calling for the #USMCAnow.
“Whether at one of my town hall meetings or a visit to a local dairy farm or manufacturing plant, while I was crisscrossing the state, I heard consistently, and across the board, that Iowans want the USMCA now,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “With one-in-five jobs in Iowa being tied directly to trade, and Mexico and Canada as our state’s top two trading partners, getting this deal done is a must-do for Iowa. As we get back to Washington, I’ll continue to make Iowans’ voices known as we work to get the USMCA across the finish line.”
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture: “Farmers are hurting from the late planting season, the trade war and the small refinery exemptions. Current commodity prices are below the cost of production in many cases and this situation is not sustainable. Farmers want markets to sell their products. In Iowa, Canada and Mexico are our two largest trading partners. We need Congress to ratify USMCA as soon as they return from August recess to provide relief for U.S. farmers.”
Tim Bardole, president, Iowa Soybean Association: “USMCA passage is critically important as Mexico and Canada combined represent America's No. 2 export market for soybeans and soybean meal. Positive action on the trade front is needed for both improved morale and marketplace fundamentals. It represents a good first step toward restoring demand for U.S. agricultural products and builds momentum for resolving the U.S.-China trade impasse. USMCA maintains zero tariffs on U.S. soybeans and soy products while including an enforceable Ag biotechnology chapter to support 21st Century innovations in agriculture and soybean production.”
Scott Hingtgen, Iowa dairy farmer: “We definitely need to get the USMCA agreement passed. It’s just huge for agriculture. I’m hoping both sides can work together to get it done.”
Kelly Nieuwenhuis, Iowa Corn Promotion Board: “With Mexico and Canada being our #1 and #2 Ag trade partners we need to update our trade agreement and continue our long term relationship with them. Infrastructure is already available to ship our great Ag products, so let’s get this agreement signed.”
Chet Mogler, Lyon County pig farmer: “Exports are important to Iowa pig farmers like me. Twenty-seven percent of the pork raised in our state is destined for international markets. These markets generate for Iowa about $2.1 billion in total sales. Combined, Canada and Mexico is the largest market for U.S. and Iowa pork. If Congress would ratify the USMCA, it will protect Iowa pork producers from being caught in the middle as we were when the countries did not have an agreement or understanding in place.”
Tracy Morgan, plant manager, Performance Pipe, Bloomfield, Iowa: “The USMCA is important to Iowa, it’s important to our company and the country. We look forward to Congress passing USMCA because we support free and fair trade.”
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