WASHINGTON, D.C. - Iowa Republicans and Democrats in Congress agree on one thing...passing the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Republican Joni Ernst spoke on the Senate floor this week where she urged House Democrats to pass the agreement before the 2020 election cycle consumes politics. "Mexico has already ratified the deal," said Ernst. Canada is well on their way. Our trade partners are ready."
Ernst did take a party-line stance in one comment, accusing Democrats in the House of continuing on a partisan expedition of impeaching the president. But she also stressed the need for the trade agreement's passage to help Iowa farmers, "I was up in northwest Iowa a couple of weeks age visiting with one Iowa corn farmers," Ernst said. "And he said that if we were able to get the USMCA deal done, it would have a direct impact, positive, on his farm."
Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne took to the House floor the same day, Wednesday, with a similar message supporting the agreement, although she also claimed farmers are being hurt by President Trump's trade and environmental policies. "Between devastating weather events, ongoing trade wars and the EPA's unprecedented abuse of bio-fuel wavers, our farmers have been put through enough," said Axne. "They're asking for our help. As elected representatives, we deserve to give them the right answer."
Some House Democrats have concerns about labor rights and environmental protection provisions within the USMCA.
Mexico and Canada are the top consumers of U.S. corn and soybeans. Iowa leads the nation in corn production and is number two for soybeans.
Mexico is the number one importer in the U.S. corn market, and a top-three importer in the soybean market. Both Mexico and Canada are top-five import-exports in pork and beef market. Mexico is Iowa corn’s No. 1 customer.