North Dakota Ag Connection - Hoeven: USMCA Analysis Issued, Vital to Advancing Approval

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Hoeven: USMCA Analysis Issued, Vital to Advancing Approval
North Dakota Ag Connection - 04/19/2019

Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Thursday issued the following statement after the International Trade Commission (ITC) released its analysis of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Hoeven has been working with the administration to develop a strategy to move the agreement through Congress, and today's analysis is an important step in that process.

"Access to the Canadian and Mexican markets is incredibly important to our agriculture producers," Hoeven said. "The USMCA delivers this access while also modernizing our trade policies with these two nations and dealing with unfair trade practices, like the downgrading of U.S. wheat. We welcome the ITC's study, which helps make the case for this agreement. With this vital step completed, we will continue working with the administration to secure the agreement's approval in both the Senate and the House."

In order to ensure the USMCA best serves the needs of North Dakota's farmers, and to help advance the agreement, Hoeven has been working to:

- Eliminate Canada's Downgrade of U.S. Wheat: Hoeven worked to ensure that the USMCA eliminates Canada's automatic downgrade of imported U.S. wheat to feed grade to help make certain that grading standards and services are non-discriminatory.

- Lift Section 232 Tariffs: Hoeven led the North Dakota delegation in urging the administration to lift the Section 232 tariffs against steel and aluminum while Congress considers the USMCA. Doing so would aid in the removal of Canada and Mexico's retaliatory tariffs against U.S. agriculture producers, as well as help lower prices for farmers who rely on equipment made with steel.

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