By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is one step closer to implementation following strong bipartisan support by the U.S. House of Representatives.
All 36 members of the U.S. House delegation from Texas supported the USMCA measure in the 385-41 vote.
The U.S. Senate is expected to consider the measure early next year.
For USMCA to be implemented, it must first be ratified by the legislative bodies of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
“The approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by the U.S. House of Representatives is a victory for Texas agriculture when farmers and ranchers need it most,” Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said. “It is expected to increase U.S. agricultural exports by $2 billion and result in a $65 billion increase in gross domestic product.”
When implemented, USMCA will replace the decades-old North American Free Trade Agreement.
It calls for Canada to ditch its Class 6 and 7 dairy pricing system that allowed their farmers to undersell U.S. dairy products on the global market.
It addresses agricultural biotechnology, supports innovation and reduces trade-distorting policies.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S., Canada and Mexico agree to strengthen disciplines for science-based measures to protect human, animal and plant health, while improving the flow of trade.
USMCA grants U.S. poultry farmers more access to Canada for chicken, turkey and eggs.
“The new agreement leads to even stronger partnerships with our country’s nearest neighbors. Trade is vital to the livelihood of American farmers, consumers and the U.S. food industry,” Boening said.
Under the agreement, Canada will terminate its discriminatory wheat grading system that has kept U.S. wheat from being competitive in the market.
“This trade agreement could not come at a more critical time for U.S. agriculture. Farmers and ranchers have been hit with a perfect storm of low commodity prices, weather disasters, trade disruptions and a severe downturn in the farm economy. We are hopeful that USMCA can be a model for future U.S. trade agreements, as these modernized rules will be a strong guide for addressing continuing issue,” Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said.
The Mexican Senate approved the changes to the trade pact on Dec. 12. The Canadian Parliament will likely take action after it reconvenes in January.
Can your journalism look into time line of events for why why it took the House so long to get this bipartisan bill approved?
Does your journalism indicate this agreement is better or worse than NAFTA?
Thanks
Have you read the whole (Over 2000 page) bill. There are those who have that say it incorporates giving up sovereignty and control over much of our economy and constitutional jurisdiction, and is a back door to the Law of the Sea Treaty which would cede control of the oceans to the UN. ALSO it ushers in Agenda 21/30 which is the UN plan to control land use and agriculture. It is ALSO said to legitimize the Man Made Climate Change hoax. Have you read it?. Is the temporary Ag relief the bait to sell us out? Is this another “We have to pass it to know what’s in it” moment? It was crafted by globalists whose ultimate goal is the reduction of American wealth and power. Has ANY of this been addressed?