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While the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico remains in negotiations, the 11 countries remaining in the original Trans-Pacific Partnership have moved on without the United States.

Japan, Australia, Singapore and the other nations, including Mexico and Canada, concluded negotiations on the newly named Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in January. The new agreement was signed in March, paving the way for equitable trade with Pacific partners, excluding the United States, which pulled out of the original TPP agreement in January 2017.

“I struggle as an economist to find a logical argument as to why this administration would want to pull back from TPP and NAFTA,” said Ian Sheldon, economist and professor and Andersons chair of agricultural marketing, trade and policy for Ohio State University, on a recent episode of Town Hall Ohio.

In the meantime, tariffs on steel and aluminum have been put into place by the Trump administration, though NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico are exempt from the tariffs, pending the outcome to NAFTA negotiations.

Ohio Farm Bureau has been working as part of an industry-wide effort to send a message to Washington, D.C. and beyond about the importance of trade to the agricultural industry, specifically as it relates to NAFTA.

Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp, along with colleagues from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, and Sheldon have shared this message with editorial boards at major Ohio newspapers over the last few months and have asked Farm Bureau members to spread the message as well.

“Exports are the most important market for a grain farmer today in Ohio,” said Tadd Nicholson, executive director of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. “(Trade) is the biggest driver of profitability for a farmer right here in rural Ohio. Half of our wheat and more than half of our soybeans in this country go outside the United States. Things would be bad for the United States farmer if we pull out of NAFTA.”

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

 

My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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