By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) entered into force on Wednesday, and Kansas First District Congressman Dr. Roger Marshall noted that the agreement is a win for ag producers.
"It's a high priority for us and for the President, as well," Marshall said. "I was very proud to participate in the final negotiations in Mexico City. What this means for Kansas, it certainly opens more markets for the dairy folks. Beyond that, it just makes everything more efficient. Whether you're selling corn or wheat to folks in Canada or Mexico or trying to build planes in Wichita, Kansas, it's just going to make everything more efficient and drive the cost of doing business down."
There is still much more to be accomplished in trade in the coming years.
"Holding China accountable, making sure they live up to what they agreed to, buying the products from Kansas they agreed to. Beyond that, though, I think there's opportunities to do a bit better bilateral agreement with Great Britain, now that they've exited the European Union. Certainly, with the European Union itself, we need to redo that agreement, India and African nations, as well also need to be done."
Fifty-five percent of ag export markets have deals completed. Marshall wants to see the administration get to work on the other 45%.