WASHINGTON, D.C. -- North Carolina farm organizations joined with hundreds of agriculture groups from across the country Tuesday in calling for Congress to approve a new trade deal between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

  • The North Carolina Farm Bureau, the North Carolina Pork Council, and the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association all signed onto a letter sent to lawmakers. 
  • In the letter, they wrote that the president’s long-sought USMCA deal “builds on the success of the NAFTA agreement, and will ultimately lead to freer markets and fairer trade.” 
  • The USMCA serves as an update to NAFTA, the 25-year-old agreement between the U.S. and its two neighbors.

The North Carolina Farm Bureau, the North Carolina Pork Council, and the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association all signed onto a letter sent to lawmakers. 

In the letter, they wrote that the president’s long-sought USMCA deal “builds on the success of the NAFTA agreement, and will ultimately lead to freer markets and fairer trade.” They also argued the deal will provide consumers with "a more abundant supply of high-quality, safe food at affordable prices."

The USMCA serves as an update to NAFTA, the 25-year-old agreement between the U.S. and its two neighbors.

The plan has faced multiple stumblings blocks, including last week when the president threatened to increase tariffs on Mexico if they did not cut back on migrants at the southern border. That threat inspired lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to express concern that it may derail the USMCA's chances.

“I hope there won’t be no more policy surprises as we attempt to work on a bipartisan basis to move this trade agreement forward,” said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif.

At a hearing Tuesday, Rep. David Rouzer, who represents a farm-rich district, also called for action on the plan.

“It is vital – absolutely vital - that we approve USMCA quickly,” said Rouer, R-7th District. “Analysis by the US International Trade Commission indicates that American agriculture exports will increase by at 2.2 billion under the renegotiated deal.”

Agriculture is the top industry in North Carolina, and Mexico and Canada are the state's top trading partners. 

One of the remaining barriers to the deal's approval is House leadership. Just last week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said they have outstanding concerns about workers’ rights and the environment.

“We hope to have a path to yes to get it done, but you have to have enforcement as part of the agreement,” she told reporters.

For now, negotiations are ongoing as the White House continues to apply pressure.