South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds and Congressman Dusty Johnson attended President Trump’s signing signing today (Wed.) of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaces the 26-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.
Rounds: “I had the honor to join President Trump at the White House this morning for the signing of the USMCA,” said Rounds. “This new agreement will expand trade opportunities for South Dakota’s farmers, ranchers and manufacturers. Mexico and Canada are two of our most valued trading partners, and signing the USMCA solidifies our partnerships with them. Trade with the two countries supports 37,700 jobs for South Dakotans, so making sure we maintain positive relationships with them is important for our economy. I thank President Trump for inviting me to attend today’s signing, and for his strong support of our ag producers and manufacturers.”
Johnson: “USMCA is the win for producers we’ve been working towards for nearly two years,” said Johnson. “South Dakota’s farmers want a level playing field, and that’s exactly what this free trade agreement provides. I was proud to stand by the president during today’s signing of the USMCA, and I look forward to seeing the added jobs and trade opportunities this agreement will bring to our nation’s economy.”
The USMCA is expected to add 176,000 jobs and open the Canadian market up for the first time to American dairy, wheat, chicken, egg, and turkey products, further expanding export opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers. U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico alone supports more than 12 million American jobs. According to the International Trade Commission, U.S. exports will increase by $2.2 billion per year under the USMCA.
Members of the US House of Representatives attending today’s USMCA signing.