U.S. Senator Roger Marshall joined a bipartisan group of senators in signing a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on April 17, urging continued support for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as its six-year joint review approaches.
The senators say the agreement is important for American agriculture and helps ensure stable market access for producers. The letter points out that the United States remains the world’s largest agricultural exporter, with $176 billion in exports in 2024, and highlights significant growth in trade with Canada and Mexico since USMCA began.
In their message, the senators wrote: “The United States is currently the world’s largest agricultural exporter, with total agricultural exports valued at $176 billion in 2024. Since the Agreement’s entry into force, U.S. agricultural exports have increased substantially, particularly to Canada and Mexico. For many states, Canada and Mexico represent the largest and second-largest export markets. The market access achieved under USMCA is a critical component of the success of American agriculture and contributes to our secure food supply chain and to the global competitiveness of U.S. producers. Bulk commodities, like wheat, corn, and oilseeds, maintain a strong trade surplus with Canada and Mexico. Farmers, ranchers, processors, and exporters throughout the supply chain have been broadly supportive of USMCA and the certainty it provides.”
They also said: “…American family farmers and ranchers depend on the certainty afforded by a stable Agreement… Our close proximity to dependable markets based on rules-based, science-driven commitments from our trading partners is critical for domestic producers.”
Marshall serves on several Senate committees related to agriculture—including those focused on nutrition and forestry—and health care reform; he has practiced obstetrics and gynecology for over 25 years according to his official website. He chairs subcommittees covering conservation within agriculture as well as primary health within education policy areas according to his office.
Marshall grew up as a fifth-generation farm kid before earning degrees from Butler County Community College, Kansas State University and University of Kansas School of Medicine according to his official biography. He served seven years in the U.S. Army Reserves according to his office.
The senators concluded their letter by encouraging ongoing engagement between Congress members—especially those representing farming communities—and federal officials during upcoming negotiations: “…As preparations begin for the upcoming joint review process we encourage continued engagement with Congress farmers & ranchers…”
