On the second anniversary of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) entering into force, Ways and Means Republican Leader Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) issued the following statement:

“Two years in, it is clear that USMCA allows American workers and business to compete and win, while laying the groundwork for stronger and more resilient supply chains close to home. This agreement has been essential to building upon already strong trading relations with our neighbors, Mexico and Canada.

“It is vital that the Biden Administration fully enforces the agreement, including to address troubling developments in agriculture and energy in Mexico. More broadly, I urge the Biden Administration to end its trade moratorium and build on the strong bipartisan support for USMCA by negotiating state-of-the-art trade agreements that win access to new customers around the world for American goods and services.”  

Last year, Rep. Brady participated in a panel at the Woodrow Wilson Center with U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai, Mexican Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier Carrillo, and Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade of Canada Mary Ng. Watch his remarks here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

USMCA Is a Win for American Workers and Small Businesses

• USMCA has allowed trade to bounce back from pre-COVID levels and average a six percent increase across the region, benefitting American workers and businesses. 
• USMCA puts American workers first by providing the United States with the ability to enforce the new agreement more effectively and new commitments that make North American trade stronger.
• USMCA cuts red tape for small businesses to buy and sell throughout North America.

 Bipartisanship is Vital in Renewing Trade Programs, Establishing New Trade Agreements, and Competing Against China

• Trade remains an area of bipartisan agreement, which is why it’s crucial Congress renew GSP and MTB—two pro-jobs trade programs.
• While USMCA leveled the playing field for American workers to compete against China, more must be done. 
• The Biden Administration needs to end its trade moratorium and begin to lead on trade by pursuing strategic trade agreements that strengthen reliable supply-chains and open new customers for Made-in-America products and services.