DES MOINES – Iowa farmers were happy to hear Friday that Congress is nearing a compromise on a trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Friday afternoon, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, former Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig spoke with farmers at the Iowa State Fair about the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The agreement is meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
“NAFTA, being a 25-year-old agreement that has been very, very good for agriculture, but after 25 years it’s outdated,” Grassley said. “There are a lot of things in this agreement that bring an update to the digital environments that we’re in now, the intellectual property that it’s going to protect that the previous agreement didn’t protect, that bring about new jobs and new investment in America.”
Grassley said based on conversations he’s had with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he is optimistic it’ll make it through the House.
“I think that this is going to go soon, but you’ve got to understand that she can’t have a revolt and you’ve got to work things out,” Grassley said.
Some issues Democrats have with the USMCA relate to enforcement, labor and the environment.
Grassley said he thinks the House will vote on the USMCA in September. If it passes, it’ll then be considered by the Senate.