Opinion: A modern trade agenda can feed the world and fuel America’s economy

My district in Kansas has a story that every American can be proud of — from tractors in the great plains of Kansas to high-tech aerospace facilities in Wichita, we exemplify the best of America. Our aviation employees build the finest aircraft in the sky, and our multi-generation family farmers and ranchers feed families across our nation. 

But right now, these hardworking agricultural producers are facing an uphill battle, and our heartland is increasingly vulnerable. These Kansas small businesses are falling victim to rapidly rising input costs, harsh global markets and discriminatory trade practices of bad actors in foreign countries. 

The goal of American trade policy should not simply be more trade — it should be fair trade that rewards American production, protects American workers and expands opportunities for our farmers, ranchers and manufacturers. 

When I was named to the whip team for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2020, we proved that American trade policy could be revised to accomplish these goals. The USMCA was a historic victory for farmers and ranchers nationwide — setting a standard for enforceable trade rules. The successes are unmistakable, in 2025, Kansas sent $3.8 billion dollars in goods to Mexico and $2.3 billion dollars in goods to Canada, both of which are a significant increase from pre-USMCA levels.

With that being said, our job is not finished. While the USMCA put trade in a significantly better spot, more is needed to address additional concerns and trade deficits in both Canada and Mexico. We must ensure the USMCA delivers on its promise by holding Canada and Mexico accountable to the commitments they made, and by modernizing the agreement Kansas agriculture and manufacturing can compete on a truly level playing field.

This is exactly the reason that the USMCA’s built-in joint review process exists: to ensure that all three countries have the opportunity to collaborate on a better way forward. 

The U.S. Trade Representative recently announced that the United States met with Mexico and Canada and did not agree to renew the USMCA without reform. While the current rules remain in force for 10 years or until a new deal is reached, all three countries must now work to resolve the outstanding issues between us. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade policy, I look forward to continuing the bipartisan effort to strengthen these trade agreements for the benefit of hard-working Kansans. 

This is the standard of tough negotiation we must apply across the globe, particularly to China. For years, the CCP has attacked our economy through intellectual property theft, currency manipulation, and illegal state subsidies that undercut our producers. President Trump is right to take a tough line on China; we have allowed their malicious trade practices to undermine the U.S. economy for too long. It is critical that we continue engaging with the Chinese from a position of strength that shows them, and the rest of the world, that the United States will not tolerate discriminatory trade practices. By being tough, but fair, in our negotiations the Trump administration has already secured trade commitments that reduce trade barriers overseas. 

And by fixing these fractured international relationships, we also bridge the gap between our rural and urban communities. The success of our urban and suburban centers is deeply linked to the prosperity of our rural counties. When a farmer in rural Kansas secures a new export market for their grain, they are investing capital back into that region — purchasing equipment built by manufacturers in Wichita, buying cars from suburban dealerships, and utilizing a variety of local services to grow their business and live their lives. 

As a fifth-generation Kansan who grew up on our family’s farm, I am taking the fight for Kansas agriculture and manufacturing straight to the international arena. A modern trade agenda treats our community not as a collection of counties or rural versus urban, but as a single, powerful economic entity. I am proud to be working alongside President Trump and the administration to ensure trade deals prioritize the American heartland. 

We will feed the world, and we will fuel our economy. By standing strong against adversaries, negotiating better terms with Canada and Mexico, and opening new doors for American goods — we can secure a thriving future for Kansas and the United States.

Ron Estes represents Kansas’ 4th District in the House. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the Budget Committee, the Joint Economic Committee and is a co-chair of the House Aerospace Caucus.