Cattle Raisers applaud commitment to protect agriculture in NAFTA negotiations

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer announced his key objectives on July 18 for renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which include maintaining duty-free agricultural trade. Richard Thorpe, president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), issued the following statement in response to the USTR plan:
“Since its inception in 1993, NAFTA has been extremely valuable to cattle raisers, especially in Texas where beef exports to Mexico account for more than $338 million each year. I am very pleased that USTR and the administration have heeded the concerns of our ranchers and are taking this step to ensure cattle and beef exports will be safeguarded in the negotiations. We look forward to continuing our work with officials and lawmakers in Washington to expand trade opportunities for cattle raisers in Texas and across the Southwest.”
Arrangements for the first round of negotiations were announced on July 19, which will include the United States, Canada and Mexico, in Washington, D.C. from Aug. 16 – 20, 2017. The negotiations immediately follows the 90-day consultation period with Congress and the public initiated on May 18, 2017.