DES MOINES — Last week, former Democratic Iowa Governor and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack called for the immediate ratification of President Trump’s trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, — correctly pointing out that “millions of jobs are impacted by this.” In 2018, 45 percent of Iowa’s total exports went to Canada and Mexico, making these countries Iowa’s top two trading partners.

With everything Iowans stand to gain from this trade deal, it has been endorsed by several Iowa associations, businesses, and chambers of commerce. Yet Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer continue stalling on the USMCA.

Keep in mind, it’s been a whole month since tariffs were lifted on Canada and Mexico. Mexico has already ratified the agreement, bringing us even closer to completing a trade deal that would benefit Iowans.  But Pelosi, Axne, and Finkenauer continue blocking the effort, hurting Iowa’s agriculture industry in the process. 

“With President Trump’s successful negotiation, Iowa farmers and manufacturers finally have a fair trade deal with Canada and Mexico. Yet Iowans continue to suffer because Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer are more concerned with obstructing the President than they are with doing what’s right for their constituents. They should stop the games, take Tom Vilsack’s advice and ratify the USMCA immediately.” — Iowa GOP Spokesman Aaron Britt

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