reopening the agreement—an option the U.S. government, Mexico, and Canada all say is not possible. Timing and coordination with the other two countries’ processes are also key. The Canadian Parliament is set to conclude its session on June 21, not returning until mid-September. Mexico has more ground to cover to ensure ratification, given that the USMCA’s new labor provisions require Mexico to change some of its domestic laws; full enactment of this is also something Democrats want to see completed before considering the deal. What Western Growers Has Done Since the deal was signed, one of the agriculture industry’s main priorities has been to conduct widespread outreach to both new members and moderate Democrats, to educate them on the historical benefits of NAFTA and
the importance of USMCA ratification. Several USMCA-focused coalitions have formed that Western Growers is a member of, and we are actively participating in meetings with targeted Congressional offices, alongside our friends in the commodity crop, livestock and dairy sectors. Western Growers maintains near constant contact with the Administration to convey our support for the agreement, our urging that the 232 tariffs be lifted, and our opposition to any consideration of a complete NAFTA withdrawal—a threat the President continues to publicly levy as a means to force Congressional action. While the USMCA isn’t groundbreakingly different from NAFTA and doesn’t resolve every single specialty crop industry concern, it will provide modernization in key areas and a much needed return to market stability for U.S. growers, exporters and consumers.
On the other hand, better wages and working conditions in Mexico could make it more difficult to attract workers to head north, potentially straining the U.S. labor shortage further.
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