Perdue on NAFTA, Using Data on Renegotiation

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is expected to play a big part in NAFTA renegotiations as the trade deal has generally been considered favorable for ag producers.

“I advised him of what the benefits were to agriculture in some areas and what the hits were. It hasn’t been all positive. On balance, NAFTA has been good for American agriculture. We think it could be even improved in the balance of agriculture products there as well.”

In his role as advisor to the President, Perdue said he had a specific strategy.

“I’m advising him on what the data is. We’re, I think, both data-driven decision makers and he’s making a decision based on facts. I think we’re giving him the facts from USDA over where he needs to approach Canada and Mexico in renegotiating NAFTA.”

All parties in the North American Free Trade Agreement seemed to be willing to renegotiate the deal.