As we start off the new year, I’m wasting no time in getting straight back to work and delivering big wins for Iowa. After only a couple of weeks, I’m excited to have two key victories in the books that will make a big difference for folks across our state.

First, I was proud to cast my vote for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade deal—or USMCA—and to finally send it to the president’s desk.

This trade deal with Iowa’s top two trading partners, Mexico and Canada, will bring much-needed certainty and predictability for our farmers, manufacturers and small business owners.

Iowa exports more to Mexico and Canada than we do to our next 27 trade partners combined. The USMCA will allow those numbers to grow exponentially by creating new export opportunities and more than 175,000 jobs across the country.

While it took House Democrats far too long to move on it, the Senate got right to work. My friend and colleague Sen. Chuck Grassley teed-up the trade deal in the Finance Committee almost as soon as lawmakers got back to D.C. at the start of the year.

A few days later, I helped usher it through the Environment and Public Works Committee and onto the Senate floor for a final vote.

The USMCA will be a shot of positive energy into the businesses and communities across rural America. I’m proud to finally get this trade deal across the finish line.

Of course, that’s not the only big news as we start the year.

I joined President Trump at the White House as he signed the U.S.-China Phase One Trade Agreement, another major win for Iowa.

As Iowa’s fourth largest trading partner, China is a critically important market for our farmers and manufacturers.

Through this deal, China has agreed to buy $200 billion worth of U.S. goods and services over the next two years, including more than $30 billion in farm goods and $70 billion in manufactured goods.

While it’s critical we keep the pressure on China to follow through on this, we are seeing some positive momentum, especially for our agriculture markets and manufacturers.

There’s no doubt that this is an exciting start to the new year for our great state of Iowa.

Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents Iowa in the U.S. Senate.