Farmers want Canada included in U.S. trade agreement

Although there is a level of uncertainty for a concrete U.S., Mexico and Canada trade agreement, there might be good news.

In August, president Trump announced The United States-Mexico trade agreement. “This is something that is very special for our manufacturers and farmers for both countries, for all of the people who work [in the two sectors],” Trump stated. “Farmers are going to be so happy. Mexico has agreed to purchase as much farm products as possible.”

The news comes as a welcoming sign for manufacturers and farmers, especially farmers in Michigan who have been caught in the tariff feud with the U.S., Canada and Mexico that has been ongoing for months. Mexico and Canada are both one of the state’s top export markets but the latest tariffs placed on agricultural goods, which is between 15 percent and 20 percent, has hurt the state.

One country that is noticeably missing from the deal is Canada. About 60 percent of Michigan exported goods go to Canada, said Jamie Zmitko-Somers, the international marketing program manager of MDARD. “They are one of our top trading partners. We want them in the deal. Tariffs have had an impact [on our agricultural industry].”

From 2015 and 2017, goods valued at $3.2 billion were exported to Canada. The highest valued goods during that time were edible vegetables, certain roots and tubers, valued at $503.8 million.

According to grbj.com, Trump said he will begin negotiations with Canada that could be a separate U.S.-Canada trade deal instead of a NAFTA.

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