Iowa’s two Senators are calling on the nation’s commerce secretary to create a detailed report on how any changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement would impact the country’s farmers and ranchers. Republicans Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst co-signed the letter with 15 other senators from both parties. Grassley says they’re asking Secretary Wilbur Ross to conduct a “robust economic analysis” before changes are made to NAFTA.

 

Grassley says prior to any alterations on NAFTA or any other free trade agreement, an economic analysis must explain the impact on the full supply chain of the industries involved.

 

The fifth round of NAFTA renegotiations are underway and Grassley says any potential changes in trade policy need to be positive for agriculture, especially since so many producers are struggling financially.