Sleight on NAFTA

Sleight on NAFTA

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and related products, including ethanol and distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture's profitability. U.S. Grains Council Pres. and CEO Tom Sleight says reports from the trump administration that NAFTA is subject to severe alteration or cancellation entirely came to him as a bit of a surprise.

Ag groups were quick to comment on news of any potential NAFTA withdrawal and encouraged the administration to reconsider. Sleight says That will bode well for future trade interactions but some relationships have been fractured. "If nothing else happens it will demonstrate the US agriculture advocates for Mexican buyers and so I think if we can float along and have a good honest, vigorous conversation but end the negotiation, I think we will be fine. But I think there has been damage done. Obviously buyers are looking for alternative suppliers. Our competitors are coming into that market and the Mexican market much more frequently now, so there will be some damage.

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