Editorial

Congress must approve Trump’s trade agreement with Canada and Mexico

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Our neighbors to the north and south play an integral part in Idaho’s economy.

A trade agreement being considered for approval by Congress would enable Idaho businesses to continue competing in a global market and enhance their customer base in North America.

Congress must ratify President Trump’s United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for the benefit of Idaho businesses and rural communities across the state.

Canada and Mexico combined make up more than 25 percent of Idaho’s total exports and nearly 50 percent of Idaho’s total food and agriculture exports. More than 1,700 companies in Idaho export goods and services to more than 150 countries around the globe, and the two most accessible and important markets are right next door.

Canada alone, as Idaho’s number one export market, purchased $926 million worth of goods ranging from fertilizer and locomotives to precious metals and cattle. Mexico was Idaho’s fifth largest market with sales topping $230 million led by malt, milk powder, frozen potatoes, cheese and electronic integrated circuits. Clearly, the products exported to these two markets reflect a vast range of sectors and businesses from every corner of the state.

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