NDFB statement on signing of USMCA

North Dakota Farm Bureau President Daryl Lies released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump signed the USMCA.

 
“Today is another win for agriculture – The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has become law. This agreement further levels the playing field with our neighbors, who have continued to be strong trading partners. This is especially true for U.S. dairy, wheat and poultry.
 
“For farmers, this agreement means our wheat will be treated more fairly, thanks to Canada’s agreement to grade our wheat no less favorably than its own. The agreement also gives U.S. dairy products access to an additional 3.6 percent of Canada’s dairy market.
 
“We recognize additional steps are needed before the USMCA boosts the ag economy. Canada still needs to approve it, which will start a 90-day clock to implementation. We are optimistic that the recent string of trade agreement successes, including agreements with China and Japan, set the stage for 2020 to begin a stronger decade for farmers and ranchers.”