New Agricultural Coalition pushes for the renewal and improvement of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement ahead of the 2026 mandatory review
More than 40 farm and agricultural organizations have joined forces to launch the Agricultural Coalition for the United‑States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA), emphasizing the trade pact’s indispensable role in supporting the U.S. farm economy.
Coalition leaders say the agreement has delivered strong export growth and stability for producers — and that the upcoming 2026 mandatory review makes renewal critical.
As part of the launch, the coalition unveiled a new website and began an aggressive advertising campaign in Washington, D.C. The effort aims to highlight USMCA’s benefits to food and agriculture and to encourage all three countries to extend the agreement with targeted updates.
“USMCA is one of President Trump’s signature achievements and one that has significantly propelled the ag economy,” said Bryan Goodman, spokesperson for the coalition. “We are not saying it’s perfect, as some changes are warranted, but we are saying it is of paramount importance to farmers that all three countries renew the agreement.”
USMCA’s role in North American agriculture
Signed in 2018 and implemented in 2020, USMCA replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement and introduced updated trade rules, enforcement tools, and dispute‑resolution mechanisms.
Since its adoption, coalition members say the deal has:
- Increased U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico and Canada
- Provided enhanced market certainty and predictable trading conditions
- Offered a structured process for addressing trade disputes that emerge among the three nations
The 2026 review, required under the agreement’s “sunset clause,” will determine whether USMCA is renewed for another 16 years. A successful renewal would extend the agreement to 2042, with another review set for 2032.
Without consensus among the three governments, however, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada could find themselves stuck in year‑to‑year reviews or, in a worst‑case scenario, on a path toward the agreement’s expiration in 2036 — a scenario many in agriculture warn could create major uncertainty.
Farmers need predictability
Goodman stresses that consistent market access is essential for producers making long‑term decisions.
“Our farmers make decisions a year or more in advance. They need the certainty of knowing USMCA is here to stay,” he said.
Although the Trump administration has indicated that renewal is not guaranteed, it has also acknowledged that USMCA has delivered positive outcomes for U.S. trade and agriculture.
Building on the agreement
Coalition leaders say their goal is not just protection of the existing agreement, but also refinement. Areas they highlight for improvement include strengthening dispute‑resolution processes and ensuring that agricultural market access commitments are upheld by all three countries.
“We want to protect this agreement and build on what President Trump started in his first term,” Goodman said. “We are confident we will be able to share the facts and farmer testimony that will help the administration benefit rural communities throughout the process of the 2026 Review.”
With its broad membership, public campaign, and focus on certainty for the agricultural sector, the Agricultural Coalition for USMCA is positioning itself as a major voice ahead of a trade review that could shape the trajectory of North American agriculture for decades.