A broad-based coalition of agricultural groups is releasing an analysis today showing how the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement benefits the farm sector. 

The Agricultural Coalition for the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is holding a press conference to highlight some findings from its report, which uses 2024 as the base year. The analysis found:

  • Ag and seafood exports to Canada and Mexico generated $149 billion in total economic output, supporting nearly 500,000 jobs and $36 billion in wages.
  • Every $1 in industry exports under USMCA drove an additional $2.45 of supported economic activity in the United States.
  • USMCA -related agricultural and seafood trade contributed $64 billion to U.S. GDP and supported $13 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue.

The analysis also examined the economic benefits of USMCA across key agricultural commodities, according to a press release.

“The long‑term success of USMCA is a top priority for our members,” said International Fresh Produce Association Chief Global Policy Officer Alexis Taylor. “Since the agreement took effect, fresh U.S. fruit export values have increased by 34%, while U.S. vegetable exports have grown by 14%.”

RFK Jr.: This is not a ‘nanny state’

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. used an event at the conservative Heritage Foundation to defend his policy agenda. That includes the push to get Americans to stop eating highly processed foods, which he blames for all sorts of maladies. 

“We're trying to make it easier for parents to make good choices. We're not telling people what to do. We're not starting a nanny state. Like, if you live in this country, buy a Coca-Cola if you want one, or eat a Krispy Kreme donut. But we're gonna tell you it's not good for you,” Kennedy said. 

Asked about his agenda this year, Kennedy spent most of his time talking about drug prices and the administration’s efforts to reduce them. He said there will be a special focus “on affordability and on transparency.” That makes sense, given that the cost of living is shaping up to be the No. 1 issue in the mid-term elections. 

MAHA looks to play in mid-terms

Tony Lyons, president of MAHA Action, said at the Heritage event the MAHA movement will be working with the congressional candidates President Trump endorses to make sure they understand MAHA issues.

A case in point is the Louisiana Senate race, where GOP Rep. Julia Letlow has Trump’s endorsement in her challenge to Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has criticized the Trump administration’s actions on vaccines. Letlow is already on board with some priority MAHA concerns, Lyons said. 

“We think there's a really great partnership that we can have with candidates all around the country to help them win, to help preserve this coalition,” Lyons said. He said MAHA advocates would also be educating candidates on the movement’s views. 

Proposed rule would move federal worker appeals to OPM

The Office of Personnel Management today is issuing a proposed rule that would allow it to oversee appeals for employees subject to reductions-in-force instead of the Merit Systems Protection Board.

The proposed rule says the action will “promote greater efficiency and reduce costs to agencies in effectuating RIF actions,” which it noted “may be necessary in a variety of situations” such as eliminating duplicative functions.

Take note: Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said in a statement that the change "would not only make it harder for employees to challenge their proposed terminations, but would essentially give the administration free rein to terminate huge swaths of the federal workforce without meaningful independent oversight."

Progress reports mulled for Advancing Markets for Producers program

USDA is seeking comments on whether participants in the Advancing Markets for Producers program should provide regular progress reports on their projects.

AMP grew out of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program when USDA decided last year that projects under the Biden-era program should devote more money directly to farmers.  Now, USDA wants to know whether it makes sense to require reports on the types of conservation practices applied, the benefits associated with those practices, and other information.

USDA accepting applications for trade mission to Turkey

USDA is looking for U.S. exporters who want to go on a trade mission to Turkey, which bought $1.72 billion in ag products from the U.S. in 2024. The country is the 16th largest export market for the United States.

The mission to Istanbul is scheduled for May 11-14. USDA said that “exporters interested in exploring trade opportunities in Türkiye, the Caucasus and Central Asia must apply by Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

“Participants will join buyers from Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan for targeted business-to-business meetings to discuss market opportunities. [Foreign Agricultural Service] staff and regional experts will be on hand to host market briefings, site visits and networking events.”

Final word

“It’s a joy to work for him, because he lets me do stuff that I don’t think anybody else would ever let me do.” – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., talking about his relationship with President Donald Trump, during a Heritage Foundation event Monday.

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