California Farmers Urge USMCA Renewal and Canadian Tariff Exemptions
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**California farmers, agribusiness leaders and state officials are urging the U.S., Mexico and Canada to extend and strengthen the USMCA as the trade pact enters a new round of annual reviews.
At a recent roundtable in Fresno, speakers said predictable trade rules are critical for growers making long-term decisions on planting, labor and capital investments.
They warned that trade disruptions could reduce U.S. competitiveness in global markets.
**The Agricultural Coalition for the USMCA is urging the Trump administration to exempt all products covered under the agreement from new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods.
Coalition spokesperson Bryan Goodman says the group appreciates efforts by both governments to address sector-specific trade issues but wants negotiations to continue toward a quick resolution.
The coalition says USMCA remains an important achievement for American agriculture and should be renewed with targeted improvements.
**Diesel prices are climbing just as harvest approaches, adding another expense for farmers already dealing with
higher fertilizer costs.
Mid-August diesel prices are at their highest level in a decade, according to AAA data.
National Corn Growers Association president, Jed Bower says he expects to spend an additional 20- to 25-thousand dollars on diesel this year compared with January prices.
Bower says rising input costs are putting more pressure on already-thin farm margins.
