USMCA leaves Florida producers out in the cold

Ted Yoho

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I have the following statement after voting ‘no’ on the shortfalls of the USMCA agreement for Florida farmers:

NAFTA was originally created to remove traditional trade barriers and facilitate economic growth amongst the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Our great state of Florida is one of the biggest agriculture partners in the world, and our district benefits tremendously from free trade opportunities with other countries. However, international trade should not come at the expense of American farmers and workers.

I commend President Trump and his administration for re-negotiating a much-needed trade deal between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

However, this agreement will not solve the failures of NAFTA with regards to the seasonal competition of agricultural produce that caused our fruit and vegetable farmers to lose a large share of the U.S. market to Mexican producers. Absent proper trade enforcement tools, we are maintaining the status quo that will continue to harm Florida producers.

USMCA favors Mexican producers over the hardworking Southeastern farmers. Remedies, after that fact are too late to address our farmers needs now. Without the inclusion of trade remedies in USMCA for Florida’s produce farmers, I cannot, in good conscience, support this agreement.

Rep. Ted S. Yoho (R-Gainesville) represents Florida’s 3^rd District, which includes all of Clay County.