Jamie Beyer, American Soybean Association Executive Committee member and Minnesota Soybean farmer recently testified at the U.S. House Agriculture Committee during a hearing on “Agricultural Perspectives on the Future of the USMCA.” their testimony emphasized the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to U.S soybean farmers.
During her testimony Beyer said, “USMCA has provided stability and predictability for U.S. soybean farmers and strengthened our trading relationship with two of our most important export markets. At a time when farmers are facing significant economic pressure and global trade uncertainty, maintaining strong, rules-based trade relationships with Canada and Mexico is more important than ever.”
According to the American Soybean Association website, “In marketing year 2024/25, Canada and Mexico accounted for $4 billion in U.S. soy complex exports, representing more than 13% of total U.S. soy exports. Mexico alone accounted for $3.3 billion in purchases of U.S. soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil, making it one of the industry’s most critical export markets.”
Beyer also added, “Failure to renew USMCA would be catastrophic for U.S. agriculture. Entire industries, companies, farmers and families depend on this agreement. We hope appropriate improvements can be made, but the agreement’s long-term extension must never be in doubt.”
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Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.