Without providing details, President Trump said on social media over the weekend that Mexico, the largest U.S. food and ag trade partner, would “immediately begin buying large quantities of agricultural product from our great patriot farmers.” Purchases were not mentioned in a joint declaration by the North American neighbors to avert temporarily Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on all imports from Mexico unless it acted to restrict crossings at the southern U.S. border.
Mexico’s ambassador said Sunday that agricultural trade “could increase dramatically in the next few months.” Appearing on the CBS News program “Face the Nation,” Ambassador Martha Barcena Coqui said agricultural trade between the nations already was on the rise. “Yes, it is going to grow, and it is going to grow without tariffs and with USMCA ratification.”
The USDA estimates food and ag trade between the nations will reach $46 billion this fiscal year, compared to $44.5 billion in fiscal 2018 and $42.7 billion in fiscal 2017. A major source of fresh produce for American consumers, Mexico traditionally runs a surplus in food and ag trade with the United States although it is the top market for U.S. goods such as corn and pork.
Barcena did not respond directly when CBS moderator Margaret Brennan said, “[T]here was no transaction that was signed off on as part of the deal is what I understand you’re saying.” The ambassador said, “I am absolutely certain that the trade in agricultural goods could increase dramatically in the next few months.”
In the joint declaration issued by the State Department, Mexico agreed to take “unprecedented steps” to curb “irregular migration.” Binational discussions will continue on “additional understandings … to be completed and announced within 90 days, if necessary.” Agricultural trade is not mentioned in the eight-paragraph declaration.
On Twitter, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue praised Trump for persuading Mexico to work with the United States “to solve the humanitarian crisis at the southern border but also insisting that our farmers have better access to Mexican markets.” He repeated a Trump tweet that said, with all letters capitalized in bold-faced type, “Mexico has agreed to immediately begin buying large quantities of agricultural product from our great patriot farmers!”
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, running for the Democratic nomination for president, said Trump was “becoming the threatener-in-chief. He is, literally, treating these farmers … like they’re poker chips basically at one of his bankrupt casinos.” Klobuchar appeared on “Face the Nation” from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Farm groups feared a loss of sales if Mexico retaliated against the tariffs threatened by Trump.
To read the “Face the Nation transcript, click here.