Congressman Smith encourages feedback on trade agreement
Congressman Adrian Smith is encouraging Nebraskans to comment on the USMCA during the review phase, October 1 to November 3.
By News Channel NebraskaSIDNEY -- Representative Adrian Smith stopped in Sidney Monday evening to talk about the U.S. Mexico Canada (USMCA) trade agreement.
"The US Mexico Canada Trade Agreement that President Trump really led the way on. I remind folks that was a Trump priority in his first term, and it was put across the finish line by Speaker, then-Speaker, Nancy Pelosi," Rep. Smith said.
Representative Smith said President Trump and then-Speaker Pelosi working together shows the two sides can join forces. He added the agreement protects trade agreements allowing Nebraska products in the neighboring countries.
"If that can be done, I'd say just about anything can be done, and we're better for it, especially when Mexico since then tried to shut out our bio-tech white corn that Nebraska's third district is the leading district in producing that. That allowed us, ultimately, to file a formal complaint; a protest if you will, a dispute to challenge that and it was kind of long and drawn out. But, we prevailed; all seven accounts there, we prevailed on that. Now with USMCA we are moving into a review phase," he said.
The review phase starts October 1, Rep. Smith said. To submit a comment or request to participate in the hearing, click here. The deadline for submitting comments is November 3, 2025.
Rep. Smith also responded to the relationship between President Trump's tariffs and USMCA.
"President Trump, he campaigned on tariffs, and he has been leveraging tariffs to level the playing field. I'll be very open with you and tell you I'm not a big fan of tariffs. But I also know that the president is using these as a tool ... with success," he said.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force on July 1, 2020. The USMCA replaces the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and is a mutually beneficial win for North American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses. The Agreement creates more balanced, reciprocal trade supporting high-paying jobs for Americans and grow the North American economy, according to Office of the United States Trade Representative.