Markets barely flinched when the U.S. skipped renewing USMCA — partly because agricultural goods between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have stayed off the tariff list so far.
The U.S. just shifted USMCA to annual reviews instead of renewing it long-term — and for dairy farmers, that matters. Mexico alone bought 2.58 billion dollars worth of U.S. dairy last year.
The trade agreement that replaced NAFTA just triggered its built-in review clock, and U.S. farm groups are paying close attention as negotiations with Canada and Mexico move at very different speeds.
The trade deal between the US, Canada, and Mexico isn't dead, but it's no longer on solid ground either — annual reviews replace what Canada and Mexico hoped would be a straightforward 16-year extension.
The USMCA trade agreement has a built-in exit clause — any country can walk away with six months notice. But under U.S. law, only Congress can actually dissolve it, which puts President Trump in a tricky spot.
The future of the USMCA hangs in the balance, with Idaho's cattle industry keeping a close watch on its potential extension and the impact on local farms and processing facilities.
Local farmers depend on trade with Canada and Mexico, and a renewed USMCA could save families hundreds on groceries while ensuring year-round access to fresh produce.
President Trump’s reluctance to renew the USMCA has alarmed farmers, with over 150 agricultural groups warning of dire consequences for trade with Canada and Mexico.