New deal with Mexico could affect Nebraskan farmers

Posted By: Pierce Georlett

pgeorlett@klkntv.com 

Farmers and agricultural leaders in Nebraska are excited about the possibility of President Donald Trump and Mexico closing in on a new deal that could change the future of NAFTA.

"What I think this does by signing this trade deal and really saying these are the rules for how we are going to modernize NAFTA and create certainty around that for our producers here in the state,” says Gov. Pete Ricketts.

While this deal doesn’t end the big trade war with China, it does help Nebraska’s farmers in the near future.

"Mexico and Canada are 2 of the biggest trading partners that we have so moving into the future this protects those markets that we’ve already established under NAFTA but hopefully then it gives us some in roads to making those markets even biggest so that’s a good thing,” said Jay Rempe a Senior Economist with the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Which those roads to future trading deals are something that Governor Ricketts says its top priorities right now.

"Things that we continue to express to the administration is the urgency in getting these trade deals wrapped up, which is why I’m really glad to hear that we are close to getting the deal with Mexico done,” added Gov. Ricketts.

Some experts say this trade deal is a big moment for Nebraska farmers.

"I think that it shows the farmers patience has paid off a little bit there’s been a lot of concern about the Trump administration and their tariffs in regard to trade policy and particularly China and Canada and Mexico, and I think they’ve been waiting for the president to come through with a deal and now it’s finally here,” says Rempe.

Now the details of the new deal are still yet to be released but a tentative deal with Mexico is said to be done, and a deal with Canada is still up in the air.