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Michigan ag poised to benefit from USMCA

Michigan ag groups are celebrating the Senate’s passage of the USMCA and the state’s senators who voted for it.

The Michigan Farm Bureau says farmers need export opportunities and the agreement modernizes and expands potential with the nation’s two closest neighbors.

Jamie Zmitko Somers focuses on international marketing with the Michigan Department of Agriculture.  She tells Brownfield the signing of the agreement will clear up market uncertainty for many ag products including Michigan’s top commodity into Mexico. “The opportunities are just going to continue to expand for dry beans and other products as well.”

Senator Gary Peters says the agreement isn’t perfect, but it’s stronger than the initial deal and has been improved. “It includes provisions I pushed for to strengthen enforcement and labor standards and I believe this will make some progress for Michigan workers, businesses and farmers.”

Senator Debbie Stabenow also pushed for stronger labor and trade protections and says the agreement will level the playing field and open markets for Michigan’s wheat, poultry, and dairy farmers.

The Michigan Corn Growers Association is also applauding its passage, saying the USMCA will provide some much-needed stability to the farm economy and helps pave the way for future trade agreements.

In 2018, Michigan exported more than a billion dollars in ag products to Canada and Mexico.