This week, U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue met with Canada’s Ag Minister and Mexico’s Ag Secretary in Georgia. The three pledged to keep market opens ahead of the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade agreement starting in August. Nebraska Pork Producers Association President Russ Vering says it’s positive the three ag leaders were able to meet to build good relationships that will carry over into the NAFTA discussions.

He says whatever is renegotiated in NAFTA the agreement must not allow the three nations to implement tariffs on each other’s ag products.

Vering says it’s imperative the U.S. trade negotiators assure gains already achieved in NAFTA are retained.

Vering says the timing of Nebraska’s trade mission to Canada is good because it comes in front of the NAFTA renegotiations. He says that will allow Nebraska officials to lay the groundwork for a successful deal.