U.S. House passes USMCA

On Dec. 19, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the amended United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA). Previously, all three countries signed the amended agreement after House Democrats and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer worked with Mexico to address concerns around enforcement, labor and environmental standards, and prescription drug pricing. The Senate is expected to vote on the amended trade agreement in January.

“It’s great news for U.S. manufacturers, including NAFEM members, that the House has approved the USMCA,” said NAFEM President Joe Carlson, CFSP, president, Lakeside Manufacturing, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. “NAFEM and many of our members have advocated for passage of the agreement with elected officials. Because of the amount of business we conduct in North America, it’s crucial that the Senate take swift action in early 2020.”

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons said, “Manufacturers support the USMCA and we are encouraged that the administration and House Democrats have forged a path forward….A ratified USMCA will deliver increased certainty for manufacturers, especially for the 2 million manufacturing workers whose jobs depend on North American trade….Manufacturers will continue to work closely with the administration and both the House and Senate to approve the USMCA.”