Press Release

05/21/2019

Oregon Wheat Calls for Prompt Ratification of USMCA

Pendleton, OR - The Oregon Wheat Growers League and Oregon Wheat Commission applaud the Trump Administration for their progress in bringing the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) forward for ratification and call on the Administration and Congress to move quickly to ratify the agreement.

The US International Trade Commission has completed the required report of the potential impact of USMCA and it confirms that the Agreement has significant economic and employment benefits for the US, including over $2 billion in increased agricultural exports. The Administration has negotiated a resolution of the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Mexico and Canada, removing a key hurdle blocking ratification. Mexico has already passed legislation adopting key labor reforms called for in the agreement, demonstrating their commitment to the terms of USMCA. Finally, the Administration has held numerous briefings for Congress to explain the agreement and address Legislator concerns.

USMCA provides clear benefits and improvements over the original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) implemented in 1994, and we believe it is critical that these benefits be locked in by ratifying this agreement. We urge the Administration to complete and submit the draft implementing legislation for USMCA to Congress as soon as possible. We call on Congress to follow the timelines set forth in the Trade Promotion Authority law to bring the agreement to a vote this summer.

With 85-90 percent of Oregon’s wheat going into export markets around the world, our customers, including those in the Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines, and Indonesia, need to see that the US can negotiate and complete new trade agreements. We know our customers will be encouraged by completion of USMCA and we believe completion will send a strong signal to our markets and help strengthen wheat prices.

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About the Oregon Wheat Growers League
OWGL is the primary representative for Oregon’s wheat growers; working to enhance the profitability of wheat growers by communicating with and educating growers and the public, assuring markets, conducting important research, and advocating for sound business, trade, and environmental policy. About the Oregon Wheat Commission OWC is a producer funded and governed check-off program, whose mission is to improve the profitability of Oregon’s wheat growers through Marketing, Research and Grower Education programs designed to find solutions to immediate and long-term issues faced by the wheat producers of Oregon.