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Perdue “misspoke a little” about NAFTA contingency

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says he’s optimistic there WILL be a renegotiated NAFTA that will be good for agriculture.

Perdue told farmer broadcasters at their annual convention last week that he “misspoke” a little, the day before, when he said the USDA is working on a contingency plan if President Trump pulls the U.S. out of NAFTA, which Trump has threatened to do, “I’m kind of a Boy Scout. I want to be prepared. And, obviously, I’ve told you before I think we’ll have a successful NAFTA negotiation. But, I’m the kind of guy that likes plan B.”

Perdue it would hurt agriculture to no longer be a part of the deal with Canada and Mexico, “We all know, in this room, that if NAFTA was not successful then it’s going to be pretty damaging to our commodity, already low commodity prices. So, I like to be prepared and that was my thinking out loud.”

Perdue says he thinks the U.S. will get to a good agreement for American farmers and producers but it might be a bumpy ride until then.

The fourth round of NAFTA renegotiations begins Wednesday in Mexico City.