Corn Growers Need USMCA

What's at stake for U.S. corn's export future?

American corn farmers can't afford to lose out on 1.8 billion bushels of corn demand every year. That demand is at stake as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) faces its first chance at renewal this summer - and the outcome is anything but certain.

As the renewal deadline approaches, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is advocating to uphold this landmark agreement and protect U.S. corn demand.

Signed into law by President Donald Trump in his first term, USMCA marked a new era in American trade. This agreement provides certainty with the U.S.'s top corn export market, Mexico, and the top purchaser of ethanol, Canada. It also allows for new market opportunities, from biobased plastics to sustainable aviation fuel. NCGA is calling on the United States, Mexico, and Canada to come to the table to review the agreement and agree on targeted improvements - otherwise, American farmers will lose the stability of these foundational markets.

What does USMCA do?

Since it took effect in 2020, USMCA has allowed for strong growth in U.S. exports. Mexico and Canada now represent $60 billion - more than a third - of all U.S. food and agricultural exports.

The agreement has been especially beneficial for corn growers. Since USMCA was enacted, corn exports to Mexico and Canada have increased by 102% in value. The graph below shows U.S. farmers exported about $3 billion in bulk corn to North America in 2019, the year before USMCA was enacted. In 2025, just five years after USMCA took effect, U.S. corn exports to Mexico and Canada more than doubled in value at over $6.2 billion. U.S. corn export values have remained at these high levels since skyrocketing to high levels in 2022. If USMCA is not renewed, American corn farmers risk losing this growth and seeing these numbers drop to pre-agreement levels.

USMCA also contains critical tools to address actions that violate the agreement. When Mexico issued a Decree banning biotech corn, NCGA urged the Administration to pursue a dispute settlement under USMCA's rules. A final panel report was issued that found Mexico's actions not based on science and inconsistent with their commitments under USMCA. As a result of this panel report, Mexico withdrew the Decree, proving that the dispute settlement tool worked to resolve this critical trade barrier impacting U.S. corn growers.

What is NCGA doing?

Corn growers are speaking out in support of USMCA. Jon Miller, NCGA Corn Board member and farmer from central Ohio, said, "The USMCA is important to my operation and the US farmer, now let me tell you why, annually it not only accounts for 60 billion dollars in US ag exports, and 1.5 billion dollars in ethanol to Canada, it has also created 13 million US jobs and has been credited for a 10.7 billion dollar increase in ag exports to Mexico. The USMCA is a good deal for the US farmer."

Corn growers have invested in advocacy and research efforts to promote the benefits of USMCA and encourage its renewal. NCGA leads the Agricultural Coalition for USMCA, a diverse collection of agricultural organizations working together in support of USMCA's renewal and its continued role in delivering results for American agriculture. From educational outreach to grassroots advocacy, the coalition is focused on ensuring the agreement remains in place with targeted improvements that preserve market access, provide long-term certainty, and keep American agriculture competitive.

"USCMA provides stable, reliable market access to our biggest customers at a time when we need it most," said Nancy Martinez, NCGA director of public policy, trade, and biotechnology.

What can you do?

USMCA has been a game-changer for U.S. agriculture, creating jobs, expanding exports, and providing stability to our farms and communities. But these gains aren't guaranteed: your advocacy is needed to secure the long-term benefits of this agreement. Add your name to a letter to President Trump urging renewal of this critical agreement here: