Barrett Meets with Mid-Michigan Farmers to Discuss Trade, Joins Effort to Strengthen USMCA

Image August 12, 2026 Press Release St. Johns, Mich. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) on Tuesday met with mid-Michigan farmers, producers, and agricultural industry leaders to discuss trade policy and hear their priorities for negotiations around extending the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). A few days prior to the roundtable discussion, which was hosted by Farmers for Free Trade at AgroLiquid in St. Johns, Barrett joined a majority of House Republicans in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer pushing for improvements to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) before agreeing to an extension. “The farmers and producers in our mid-Michigan agricultural community work tirelessly to raise the animals and grow the food we all rely on,” said Congressman Tom Barrett. “Thanks to Farmers for Free Trade for bringing so many of them together. It was great to meet with them to hear how competitive access to trade markets in Canada and Mexico will help give them the certainty they need to continue fulfilling that mission. That goal — and leveling the playing field — must remain a top priority as the Trump administration begins renegotiating the USMCA.” “We appreciate Congressman Tom Barrett for meeting with mid-Michigan agriculture leaders to discuss the importance of North American trade for our industry,” said Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu. “Michigan agriculture benefits greatly from exports and relies on strong trading relationships with Canada and Mexico. North American agricultural trade remains a top priority for our organization because exports are a key ingredient in the success of our state’s agricultural sector and broader rural economy.” “Thank you to Congressman Tom Barrett for meeting with mid-Michigan farmers and agriculture leaders to discuss the ongoing USMCA negotiations,” said Jacob Smith, Michigan Farm Bureau Associate National Legislative Counsel . “A strong trading relation with our neighbors is vital to Michigan agriculture and ensures a dependable agriculture market across North America.” “Canada and Mexico are Michigan's top two agricultural markets, and more than $1.7 billion in Michigan farm and food exports depend on them,” said Brian Kuhel, Executive Director of Farmers for Free Trade. “Congressman Barrett gave producers a direct line into that conversation today, and that is what the Joint Review needs. We are encouraged by the work underway to extend and strengthen USMCA, and we want farmer voices shaping that work.” Image The letter, which 168 House Republicans signed, supports the Trump administration’s approach to the Joint Review process, which prioritizes outcomes over a set deadline to secure an extension. “We believe that the USMCA has delivered many positive benefits, but there are key improvements that can and should be made through the Joint Review process,” said the lawmakers. “Thus, while our desired result is an extension agreed to by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, we support the decision to prioritize outcomes over a deadline. We hope that Mexico and Canada work constructively and expeditiously to achieve that result.” They continued, “Those outcomes should include securing market access that was promised six years ago but not meaningfully delivered; addressing new actions taken by Mexico and Canada that harm American manufacturers, agriculture, service providers, and workers; confronting unfair trade and investment practices from third countries that seek to undermine the North American economy and threaten American jobs; and rationalizing tariff structures to strengthen regional competitiveness in the global marketplace.” July 1 marked the first USMCA Joint Review, in which the U.S., Mexico, and Canada met to decide whether to extend the agreement for 16 more years. Mexico and Canada agreed to an extension, while the U.S. did not. The USMCA remains in force until 2036 as the three sides continue to discuss improvements to the agreement. Click here to read the full letter. Image