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Rep. Cuellar Urges Congress to Pass the USCMA

Following removal of steel tariffs on Mexico and Canada, Cuellar calls for next steps on passing trade agreement

Washington, D.C.—The Trump Administration agreed to lift tariffs on industrial metals from Mexico and Canada, clearing a major barrier to passing the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USCMA). Congressman Henry Cuellar, chair of the United States-Mexico Interparliamentary Group, released the following statement:

“I am pleased that the Administration agreed to lift tariffs on Mexico and Canada. We are now one step closer to building on NAFTA’s economic benefits and passing the USCMA,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. As a border representative, I have seen the great impact free trade has on our economy. The USMCA will strengthen America’s job growth and improve labor and trade practices throughout the continent. I urge my colleagues to pass the USCMA in the House and Senate to take the next steps and pass the USCMA to raise our global economic competitiveness.”

Background:

The USMCA addresses the trade and investment relationship between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The three countries have been parties in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) since 1994. The new agreement would affect barriers to trade in goods and services, alter rules that govern trade and investment, and change regulations for exports and imports in the region.

The U.S. International Trade Commission released a report showing that the USMCA will have a positive impact on the United States economy. The report cites that the trade agreement will raise U.S. real GDP by $68.2 billion, increase economic activity by 0.35 percent, and create 176,000 new jobs.

Congressman Cuellar has been a long-time champion in bolstering the relationship between the United States and its southern neighbor, Mexico. His support for increased trade has been one of his top priorities as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In Congress, he is the chair of the United States-Mexico Interparliamentary Group, which is the official mechanism of discussion between the U.S. Congress and the Mexican government. As the leader of this group, Congressman Cuellar hopes to improve relations between both countries.

Earlier this spring, Cuellar, Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46), and staff from the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Committee on Ways and Means attended a three-day Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Mexico City, where they met with several high-ranking Mexican officials, business community leaders, and labor representatives to discuss United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USCMA) and the recent labor reform package.

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