San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones (Farmers for Free Trade photo)
Yesterday, Farmers for Free Trade held the first in a series of nationwide USMCA roundtable discussions in San Antonio, Texas. The event took place in the historic courtyard at the Kimpton Santo Hotel, the very spot where President George H.W. Bush signed NAFTA with the leaders of Canada and Mexico in October 1992.
The discussion, co-hosted by CropLife America, the National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, San Antonio Business Journal, San Antonio Manufacturers Association, and Texas Corn Producers Association, brought together farmers, agribusiness leaders, and local officials to highlight what’s at stake as the mandatory six-year review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement approaches this summer. The message was clear: USMCA is the backbone of American agricultural trade, and farmers need Congress to prioritize its renewal.
As Executive Director Brian Kuehl noted, U.S. agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico have grown from about $9 billion in 1992 to $58.8 billion in 2025. That growth is a testament to the power of these trade agreements, and it’s exactly why getting the USMCA review right matters so much.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones opened the event with remarks on the deep trade ties between Texas and Mexico. Mayor Jones emphasized that the USMCA review must account for evolving sectors like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and manufacturing, and said USMCA will be a priority during an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C.
Farmers for Free Trade released brand new data at the event showing that Texas exported $6.4 billion in agricultural products to Mexico and Canada in 2025, supporting 28,700 jobs across the state. Meat products led the way at nearly $2 billion, followed by dairy ($853 million), oilseeds and grains ($727 million), and fruits and tree nuts ($634 million). Mexico alone purchased $750 million worth of Texas pork, accounting for over 90% of the state’s pork exports to the world.
This San Antonio roundtable is the first in a series of events Farmers for Free Trade is hosting in congressional districts across the country. Upcoming event will take place in Iowa, Wisconsin and other key states.
Farmers for Free Trade news release
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