USMCA remains critical for Iowa agriculture

June 11, 2026 | Kriss Nelson

As policymakers prepare for the 2026 review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, agricultural leaders are urging lawmakers to maintain the trade agreement that many describe as essential to farm profitability, rural economies and North American competitiveness.

The message was delivered during a Farmers for Free Trade panel discussion at World Pork Expo featuring Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, American Soybean Association Director Randy Miller, Iowa Farm Bureau economist Christopher Pudenz, National Pork Producers Council President Pat Hord and Agribusiness Association of Iowa CEO Julie Kenney. Panelists emphasized the importance of Canada and Mexico as Iowa's top trading partners and warned against making changes that could disrupt long-standing trade relationships.

"These aren't just export markets," Naig said. "These are our closest, largest and most reliable customers."

Trade matters

Mexico purchased more than $2.3 billion worth of Iowa agricultural products in 2025.  said trade remains especially important as farmers face continued profitability challenges.

"There is no one thing that will solve the challenges we're facing on the crop side in terms of profitability," Naig said. "We need to develop markets wherever we can, internationally, domestically and locally."

Iowa exported approximately $13.7 billion in agricultural products in 2024, reflecting the state's role as a major agricultural production powerhouse. Iowa ranks first nationally in corn production and hog inventories, second in soybean production and fourth in cattle on feed, according to Pudenz.

Export markets are essential, he said.

"These trade relationships aren't optional for U.S. agriculture," Pudenz said. "We simply produce more than we can consume."

Mexico remains the leading destination for U.S. corn and pork exports and the second-largest market for U.S. soybeans. Record pork export volumes moved to Mexico in 2025, further demonstrating the market's importance to livestock producers.

Maintaining access to those markets is critical, Hord said.

Mexico accounts for roughly $2 billion in annual U.S. pork exports, while Canada represents another $750 million. Hord described both NAFTA and USMCA as major success stories for the pork industry and stressed the need for certainty as the agreement comes up for review.

Agribusiness leaders also highlighted the agreement's importance beyond exports.

Kenney noted that Iowa's grain and feed industry supports approximately 100,000 jobs and contributes roughly $12 billion in economic activity. She also pointed to the importance of imports, particularly fertilizer products from Canada. More than 85% of the potash used by U.S. agriculture originates from Canada, making the trade relationship important for crop production as well as exports.

Room for improvement

While panelists broadly supported extending the agreement, several identified opportunities for improvement.

Kenney cited duplicate grain inspections conducted by Mexico, zero-tolerance soil residue requirements and the need for additional progress on agricultural biotechnology provisions as areas policymakers should address during the review process. She also pointed to the successful resolution of the 2023 biotech corn dispute as evidence that USMCA's enforcement mechanisms are working and should be preserved.

Looking ahead

Miller encouraged policymakers to take a cautious approach.

Describing USMCA as a "gold standard" trade agreement, he urged negotiators to "do no harm" during the review process and maintain the certainty farmers need in today's challenging economic environment. He added that the impacts of trade extend well beyond individual farms and affect rural communities throughout the Midwest.

Pudenz noted that strong trade relationships with Mexico and Canada provide U.S. agriculture with an advantage over competitors such as Brazil, which lacks similar agreements with those countries. Maintaining those relationships, he said, helps ensure Iowa agriculture remains competitive in global markets.

Throughout the discussion, panelists returned to a common message: maintain the framework that is working, address barriers where necessary, and provide farmers with the certainty they need to plan for the future.

"There is tremendous value in the relationships we have with our neighbors to the north and south," Kenney said. "This agreement has been a success, and agriculture wants to see it continue."

Written by Kriss Nelson.

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