WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXLG) – South Dakota Senator John Thune, testifying on the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday urged the passage of the United States Mexico, Canada Free Trade Act. (USMCA) Thune says it’s time to ratify the agreement.

Thune says that he is focused on helping the struggling farming economy. An economy that has been hurt by Low Commodity, Livestock Prices, Natural Disasters and retracted trade disputes. It all has meant a tough few years for the nations farmers. However, opening up the agricultural markets is the answer to some of those issues, Thune said.

Thune says that the negotiations on the USMCA concluded a year ago and it’s time to pass it so that farmers and ranchers can begin seeing the benefits from it. Thune says that the dairy provisions in the USMCA agreement are of particular interest to us right here in Northeast South Dakota.

More information on the USMCA can be found online at USTR.gov