WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday marked the official launch of the Agricultural Coalition for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) consisting of at least forty U.S. farm and agricultural groups, including USA Rice. The Coalition underscores the USMCA’s critical role for the U.S. farm economy and calls for its renewal, including targeted improvements.
The USMCA was signed by the three Parties in 2018 and implemented in 2020, replacing the historic North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). At the time, it was seen as one of President Donald Trump’s signature trade policy wins during his first term in the White House. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Parties agreed to a sunset clause. All three Parties must begin a formal review to determine whether to renew the Agreement for another 16 years by July 1, 2026. If the countries cannot agree or decide to terminate the Agreement, the USMCA will expire in 2036.
“We are happy to partner with other U.S. agriculture groups to form this Coalition and be a leading voice in support of the economic benefits this Agreement brings to the entire U.S. agriculture sector,” said Karah Janevicius, USA Rice director of international trade policy. “Given the longstanding and reliable policy framework for duty-free preferential trade between the USMCA markets, the U.S. rice industry has spent years and invaluable resources to ensure a stable supply chain for just-in-time deliveries to key customers in Canada and Mexico.”
The Agricultural Coalition for the USMCA represents the full landscape of U.S. food and agriculture bringing together farmers, ranchers, producers, processors, exporters, and others in the agricultural supply chain. The Coalition is focused on ensuring USMCA remains in place with targeted improvements while preserving market access and long-term market certainty.
Mexico is consistently the largest market for U.S. rice by volume and value, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total volume exported. Meanwhile, Canada is consistently in the top five markets for U.S. rice exports, ranking number five in 2024 and exclusively buying value-added product. However, due to global oversupply, depressed prices, and certain trade policies increasing competition in Mexico and Canada, U.S. rice exports by volume to both markets are down by 44 and 9 percent, respectively, year-to-date in 2025.
“We look forward to working with the Trump Administration ahead of the July deadline to ensure the USMCA is renewed and continues providing the duty-free preferential benefits of USMCA to our top export markets,” said Janevicius. “It is critical to the ongoing competitiveness and commercial success of the U.S. rice industry for those benefits to be maintained and enhanced.”