Texas Border Business
Yesterday, Kansas’ Laura Kelly became the first Democratic Governor to fully support the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), drawing attention to its importance for her state’s trade, exports, and
“We need Congress to act. Ratifying USMCA, as well as improving relations with our trading partners around the globe, will benefit our agriculture sector and the economy as a whole,” she said in a statement, read below:
Governor Laura Kelly has urged Kansas’ congressional delegation to support the pending United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), due to its importance to Kansas trade and exports, and the state’s economy.
“Kansas has always been – and always will be – an export state. We cannot prosper without access to international markets,” the governor said. “We need Congress to act. Ratifying USMCA, as well as improving relations with our trading partners around the globe, will benefit our agriculture sector and the economy as a whole.”
The downturn in the farm economy reportedly saw Kansas among 10 states with its 2017 net farm income more than 50 percent below the 10-year average. In all, 35 states saw net farm income below their 10-year average, Kansas included.USMCA is expected to lead to an expansion of market access in Canada and Mexico of $450 million for U.S. agricultural exports. Kansas totals more than $10 billion in world exports annually
In the letter also signed by Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers, Kelly noted the value of agricultural exports from Kansas to Canada and Mexico quadrupling from 1993 to 2016 after implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
“Too much is at stake for Kansas if Congress fails to act on USMCA, especially as our farmers and ranchers struggle to rebuild after a
, drawing attention to its importance for her state’s trade, exports, and overall economy.){kind=link}