ASA testifies before House ag committee on importance of USMCA to US soybean farmers

Photo: American Soybean Association

Jamie Beyer, an American Soybean Association executive-committee member and Minnesota soybean farmer, testified before the U.S. House agriculture committee June 10 during a hearing on agricultural perspectives on the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

Beyer emphasized the critical importance of the agreement to U.S. soybean farmers and urged policymakers to maintain long-term certainty for American agriculture.

During her testimony, Beyer highlighted USMCA’s role in preserving duty-free market access for soy and soy products, strengthening science-based trade rules that help prevent trade disruptions, and providing stability for soybean farmers amid growing global trade uncertainty.

“USMCA has provided stability and predictability for U.S. soybean farmers and strengthened our trading relationship with two of our most important export markets,” Beyer said.

“At a time when farmers are facing significant economic pressure and global trade uncertainty, maintaining strong, rules-based trade relationships with Canada and Mexico is more important than ever,” she added.

In marketing year 2024-’25, Canada and Mexico accounted for $4 billion in U.S. soy-complex exports, representing more than 13 percent of total U.S. soy exports.

Mexico alone accounted for $3.3 billion in purchases of U.S. soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil, making it one of the industry’s most critical export markets.

“Failure to renew USMCA would be catastrophic for U.S. agriculture,” Beyer told lawmakers. “Entire industries, companies, farmers and families depend on this agreement. We hope appropriate improvements can be made, but the agreement’s long-term extension must never be in doubt.”

ASA said it looks forward to working with policymakers to preserve and strengthen USMCA for U.S. soybean farmers and rural communities.

To read Beyer’s full testimony, click here.