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Farmers say new trade deal comes at a critical time

A central Indiana farmer says the new U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement will provide farmers with certainty as they continue to face a down farm economy.

Phil Ramsey grows corn, soybeans, and wheat in Shelby County.

“The weather doesn’t give that to us and the markets don’t give that to us, but if we can have an agreement that we know we’ve got our production moving to Mexico and Canada then we can have us some level of confidence that we’ll be able to move our surplus,” he says.

Ramsey tells Brownfield he is hopeful the trilateral agreement will help the U.S. resole issues with China.

“Hopefully with these agreements out of the way and in place they can concentrate on getting something worked out with China that’s good for both countries and allows our soybeans moving to China again,” he says.

Northeastern Indiana farmer Sarah Delbecq says she agrees. She says that re-opening these markets will help farmers, especially in light of the large crop that’s being harvested right now.

Audio: Phil Ramsey, Indiana farmer