A Wisconsin dairy farmer, a Maine lobsterman and others provided first-hand testimonials as Republicans sought to put a spotlight on President Donald Trump’s trade policy and overall handling of the economy.

When the U.S. hit Mexico with tariffs on its steel and aluminum exports in 2018, the Mexicans retaliated with their own tariffs on U.S. cheese, pork, apples and potatoes. Now, some U.S. farm groups are warning the Trump administration Mexico will retaliate if the U.S. uses tariffs again – this time to counter Mexican shipments of fruits and vegetables.

Protect Georgia’s pecan and blueberry farmers. That will be one of the requests made by Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black Thursday when he testifies at a U.S. Trade Representative hearing on reining in the expansion of Mexican specialty crop exports.

The Washington offices of the U.S. Trade Representative are buzzing as collaboration with China over the “phase one” deal continues and final preparations are made for the launch of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud said he expects both deals will lead to increased sales of U.S. farm products. 

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Friday sent official notice to Congress that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will be ready for implementation on July 1, the final step in the long process that will ensure that most agricultural tariffs between the three countries remain at zero.

Canada’s House of Commons and Senate went into overdrive Friday and rushed through votes to approve implementing legislation for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement before going on recess amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.