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Governor, senators say trade agreement victory and benefit for ND industries

Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer commented on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Agreement (USMCA) signed by President Trump on Wednesday.

“This agreement is a victory for American farmers, business owners and innovators, modernizing trade and strengthening our relationships with North Dakota’s two biggest trading partners,” said Burgum. “We’re grateful to the administration and President Trump for signing this historic deal and providing increased market certainty and access to our world-class energy and agricultural producers, who can compete with anyone on a level playing field.”

Canada and Mexico are North Dakota’s largest trading partners, accounting for nearly $5 billion in annual exports. In June, Burgum joined 26 other Republican governors in signing a letter urging Congress to ratify the USMCA.

The U.S. Senate approved the agreement on Jan. 16, following House approval in December. Mexico ratified the USMCA in June, and Canada began its ratification process this week.

“USMCA brings benefits for a wide range of industries across our country, and notably, provides better access to our two biggest trading partners for agriculture and energy producers in North Dakota,” said Hoeven. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the administration to update our trade deal with Canada and Mexico, as well as my colleagues for our work together to secure its long overdue approval in the House and its prompt passage in the Senate.”

Hoeven is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Cramer said, “Approving this deal ensures the manufacturers, service providers, agricultural communities, and energy producers in North Dakota and across the country are able to operate on an equal playing field with some of our biggest trading partners and puts them in a better position to fulfill their missions. Thank you to President Trump and our allies in Congress for their tireless work to make this deal a reality.”

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