Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) hosted a press conference Wednesday with U.S. House Members and Deputies from Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies to discuss bilateral relations and the start of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

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As the chairman of the US-Mexico Interparliamentary Group (IPG), Congressman Cuellar along with Disputado Mario Delgado Carrillo, who is the co-chair of the U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary Group, informed fellow congressman and deputies from the Mexican government about how the USMCA is being implemented amid the pandemic and how nonessential activities will slowly beginning reopening.

“We know that we have the health of people and the health of the economy that we need to reach a balance between these two, and we need to take steps on both sides so the different countries, states and cities and counties take such steps and coordinate very well and also with Canada in efforts to maintain the supply chain,” Cuellar said.

Cuellar believes by coordinating effectively together, both Mexico and the United States can see great results from the USMCA. He said the pandemic is causing a new normal that will not change until a cure or a vaccine is found, which he points out could be done towards the end of the year or early next year.

Despite the continued slowdown of activities considered nonessential, Cuellar’s counterpart agreed with the notion and said positive changes are already being seen in a large industry that both countries work heavily in together.

“We evidently closed some of the nonessential activities, but we started the reopening process, and we are doing it successfully as we have done in the automobile sector as this is the new reality and we have to learn about it,” Delgado Carrillo said. “However, we are here today celebrating this agreement which is going to become the third most important nation bloc around the world. However, as this pact comes into place, we have to learn about this new reality.”

Delgado Carrillo and Cuellar also pointed out how the new agreement allows for all the three countries to prosper despite the economic slowdown as all countries will see an increase in jobs and pay for such jobs. Delgado Carrillo said the continued trade war between China and the United States will only help American investors turn their eyes to Mexico once again and make deals and investments in the country, which will allow the powerful economic bloc to become more powerful globally as well.

Cuellar said more than the trade war between the United States and China, the result of the pandemic stemming from China has led the United States to not rely heavily on the country. He believes many American investors, himself included, would like to bring those companies back to the country or to Mexico.

For domestic purposes, however, Cuellar believes infrastructure is what is needed in efforts to improve the trade and amount of money that could be generated from the USMCA. He said the current $1.7 billion in trade that already crosses between both countries is bound to increase, and most of it needs new highways and area to be transported by land as 86% of trade between both countries is done by land.

Cuellar said this could generate an increase of five percent more of trade done in land ports such as in Laredo, which requires the modification of various interstate highways like I-27 and I-69 to become more equipped and connect routes so trade is moved faster. However, funding for such infrastructure is needed, which he is fighting for in Congress.

In another press conference focusing solely on the infrastructure bill set forward by the House of Representatives, he pointed out that the creation of the new highway I-27 routes are much needed to improve trade.

“I’m going to see if I can work with the Republicans in Austin and our local legislators to see if we can get an alternative route, because I-27 goes up to I-35 and 83 up, but to see if we can go down to the Mines Road and make that as an alternative route also with security and for trade also,” Cuellar said.

He said such language and designation was included as he believes it would help fuse more money into the region and also help expand the possibilities outlined by the USMCA. Cuellar believes funding for land ports is essential as they must be improved as trade is expected to grow even more in the coming years with the new agreement.

The funding would then be redirected to help build better roads and routes for the ports located along the border including the Laredo port, which is the largest inland port in the country.

His Mexican counterparts agreed with the notion that the USMCA will mean land ports will become even more active regions as industries slowly begin to reopen.

“This is going to be certain as it is going to affect … people in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo as it is going to become a much more active region, and there is need for better infrastructure and salaries in Mexico. This will help show the significance of the agreement,” Delgado Carrillo said.

Cuellar said the infrastructure will be the new key to making the USMCA work more effectively as many ports around the country such as in Laredo needed more infrastructure to make sure that the products being traded get to their destination. He said he will try to pass and vote in favor of any legislation that allows for funds for infrastructure for the land ports and highways of the country as the bill currently stands at $1.5 trillion for such improvements on bridges, highways and other ports.

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