AFIA Concerned by USMCA Non-Renewal

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is troubled by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's decision to not renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as of July 1. The USMCA is not without flaws, but it has been a cornerstone of growth and stability for the animal feed and pet food industry and should not be allowed to expire in the next ten years. The current decision to allow the agreement to lapse risks introducing uncertainty into one of North America's most successful agriculture trade partnerships.

The AFIA supports the administration's goal of strengthening the United States' position under the USMCA. However, because the agreement will remain in effect unless the United States formally withdraws, annual reviews through 2036 would erode the predictability businesses need to invest and compete. The administration should prioritize negotiations now to secure a long-term renewal that provides lasting certainty for North American trade.

In addition to its own advocacy efforts, the AFIA joined the Agricultural Coalition for USMCA earlier this year. Hundreds of agricultural organizations across the country have echoed the importance of the USMCA which has driven an additional $2.45 of supported economic activity in the United States for every $1 in total agriculture exports. Specifically for the industry, animal food exports to Canada and Mexico have grown from roughly $2.3 billion in 2020 to over $3.3 billion in 2024.

The AFIA will continue to highlight the critical need for a trilateral trade agreement with our neighbors as Ambassador Greer and the administration consider next steps.