March 1, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, in reaction to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s statement prioritizing compliance with the provisions established by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, commented:

“We applaud Secretary Vilsack’s commitment to ensuring compliance under the USMCA, which is a landmark trade agreement that promises significant benefits to America’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. The raw truth is the Administration faces significant challenges in doing so. Especially regarding our food and agriculture trade relationship with Mexico, relations have deteriorated substantially since approval of USMCA. Recent actions by Mexico have threatened to subvert this critical trade relationship, including a move to ban glyphosate and GMO corn, a state-sponsored campaign of disparagement aimed at refined corn products, as well as other actions that discriminate against U.S. exports. Mexico represents one of America’s most important food and agriculture trading partners. We look forward to working with the Administration to ensure that troubling actions are overcome to the benefit of both nations.”

The U.S. corn refining industry is a staunch advocate of free trade agreements that open markets and level the playing field for all industries, including ours. U.S. corn refiners export nearly $2 billion in goods annually, adding $47 billion to the overall economy.

###

The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.