American Soybean Association (ASA) Executive Committee member and Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) Director Jamie Beyer testified June 10, 2026, before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee during a hearing on “Agricultural Perspectives on the Future of the USMCA,” highlighting the critical importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to U.S. soybean farmers and urging policymakers to maintain long-term certainty for American agriculture.

During her testimony, Beyer highlighted USMCA’s role in preserving duty-free market access for soy and soy products, strengthening science-based trade rules that help prevent trade disruptions, and providing stability for soybean farmers amid growing global trade uncertainty.

Minnesota farmer Jamie Beyer, a member of the American Soybean Association’s Executive Committee, speaks during a U.S. House Ag Committee in support of renewing the USMCA.

“USMCA has provided stability and predictability for U.S. soybean farmers and strengthened our trading relationship with two of our most important export markets,” said Beyer, who farms in Wheaton, Minn., and served as MSGA president from 2019-2021. “At a time when farmers are facing significant economic pressure and global trade uncertainty, maintaining strong, rules-based trade relationships with Canada and Mexico is more important than ever.”

In marketing year 2024/25, Canada and Mexico accounted for $4 billion in U.S. soy complex exports, representing more than 13% of total U.S. soy exports. Mexico alone accounted for $3.3 billion in purchases of U.S. soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil, making it one of the industry’s most critical export markets. Soybeans are Minnesota’s top ag export, valued at over $2 billion each year. Minnesota and Canada’s trade interests are intertwined, accounting for $2.1 billion in bilateral agricultural trade in 2023. Canada accounts for 34% of Minnesota’s ag exports, the largest of any market. Minnesota farmers also imports large volumes of potash from Canada.

“Failure to renew USMCA would be catastrophic for U.S. agriculture,” Beyer, the only farmer on the panel, told lawmakers. “Entire industries, companies, farmers and families depend on this agreement. We hope appropriate improvements can be made, but the agreement’s long-term extension must never be in doubt.”

ASA looks forward to working with policymakers to preserve and strengthen USMCA for U.S. soybean farmers and rural communities.

Click here to read Jamie Beyer’s full testimony.

“(The) USMCA, for us, has been a shining star because it provides … an example of how we grow the industry under a trade agreement,” Beyer told Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig. “It’s a big win and very useful for us.”