NCGA Urges Trump Administration to Renew USMCA

Pointing to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement's (USMCA) role in facilitating and strengthening U.S. corn exports with Mexico and Canada, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today called for the Trump administration to support a full 16-year renewal of the agreement.

The request was made by NCGA President Jed Bower in comments submitted to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. In the comments, U.S. corn growers highlight clarifications needed but overwhelmingly conveyed support for preserving the text of the agreement.

"Without a doubt, USMCA has successfully contributed to the expansion of agricultural exports and has enormously benefited American corn growers," Bower said. In addition, "U.S. corn growers rely on the North American railroad system, which allows U.S. corn to be competitive against South American producers.

The leaders from all three countries must consider whether to extend the USMCA and are required to begin the review by July 2026. If they fail to extend the agreement, it will automatically expire in 2036 and annual reviews could commence. Bower said he is most focused on a swift and successful extension of the agreement, cautioning against any efforts that could result in termination.

Since USMCA entered into force on July 1, 2020, U.S. corn and ethanol exports have steadily increased to Mexico and Canada, which are currently the largest and most important export markets for the U.S. corn industry.

USMCA provides the means to address actions that violate USMCA's provisions through its dispute settlement and resolution process, which the U.S. corn industry successfully leveraged after Mexico issued a 2023 presidential decree that banned genetically modified corn for human consumption and phased out its use in animal feed.

Bower said NCGA will continue to lead the charge on USMCA until the agreement is renewed.