Ag Coalition Stressing Importance of NAFTA

A coalition of agriculture groups is stressing the importance of the North American Free Trade Agreement to state governors. The coalition representing more than 100 agriculture groups is asking the governors to let President Trump know that they “support a modernized NAFTA that maintains and enhances food and agricultural trade,” according to the Hagstrom Report. The letter comes as U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer complained earlier this week about agriculture groups lobbying regarding NAFTA, saying the public comments “makes the negotiations harder.” Meanwhile, top trade officials from Canada and Mexico, along with Lighthizer of the U.S., have chosen not to participate in the current round of NAFTA negotiations. In a joint statement, the trade officials said they would not attend so negotiators can continue to make progress on key chapters discussed during the last round of talks.