Delgado, Cartwright support trade agreement

By FRITZ MAYER
Posted 12/23/19

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House on December 19 voted to approve the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which will—if and when passed by the Senate—replace the North …

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Delgado, Cartwright support trade agreement

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House on December 19 voted to approve the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which will—if and when passed by the Senate—replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Democrats in the House agreed to endorse the deal after they received a number of concessions from the Trump Administration, such as increased labor protections, more access for U.S. dairy farmers to Canadian and Mexican markets, and environmental protections.

Rep. Antonio Delgado (NY-19) released a lengthy statement explaining his support for the agreement. “From my first day in Congress, I have made it a priority to hear from our farmers across upstate New York who are being squeezed by unfavorable economic conditions for agriculture. Ratifying the USMCA gives our farmers an essential tool during these uncertain times: stability. This trade agreement, which I intend to support, will maintain—and in some cases increase—access to critical markets in Canada and Mexico. The final agreement also includes strengthened protections for American workers and organized labor, as well as facility-specific enforcement mechanisms for these new terms.”

Delgado continued, “Failure to ratify the USMCA would be backsliding—closing off important international markets and creating even more competition for market share here at home. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I know this agreement is just one of many steps needed to help our farmers combat the downturn in the farm economy. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to focus on the needs and priorities of the nearly 5,000 farms and more than 8,000 farm operators in NY-19.”

Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-8) also released a statement of support. “This is an important win for Northeastern Pennsylvania’s manufacturing workers and farmers,” said Cartwright. “We passed a modern trade deal with fair, enforceable labor standards that empowers hardworking Americans and puts their interests first. It also opens Canadian markets for dairy farmers in our area, helping them reach new customers and grow their businesses.

“While this agreement cannot right the wrongs of the original NAFTA overnight, it is my hope that the USMCA will serve as a blueprint in future trade negotiations with other countries so the same mistakes are not made again. I am pleased that we are advancing a deal that expands market access and sets fairer terms of trade throughout North America.”

“This holiday season will be a bit brighter for America’s dairy farmers as today’s vote brings us one step closer to finalizing USMCA and securing a more certain future for the dairy industry,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation. “New York’s dairy industry appreciates the work that Congressman Delgado has invested to ensure USMCA will provide expanded market opportunities and a more level playing field for dairy exports. Now we are counting on the Senate to act quickly and finalize USMCA in order to deliver its improvements to North American trade.”

Support for the measure was bipartisan. “I’ve long said that support for USMCA crosses political parties, the bipartisan passage of the agreement today is proof of that,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said. “I am pleased the House finally brought this agreement to a vote and encourage quick passage in the Senate. This agreement will unleash the bounty of America’s agricultural harvest to two of our largest trading partners in the world and it is critical to the success of rural America.”

The agreement also got an endorsement from U.S. Small Business Administration Acting Administrator Christopher Pilkerton, who said, “This bipartisan agreement will benefit small businesses across our nation. American entrepreneurs will have a strong, free and fair trade agreement in place with the first-ever chapter on small business. The USMCA cuts red tape at the border, decreasing costs and streamlining paperwork that often hurts small businesses as they don’t have the resources to navigate through the complex regulations. USMCA is a catalyst for America’s 30 million small businesses that employ half the private-sector workforce and create 2/3 of all new jobs. Under President Trump’s leadership, the economy is growing, wages are rising and small business optimism is at historic levels. This agreement is vital to gaining fair access to markets for small businesses and the long-term success of our nation’s economy.”

Trade agreement, Canada, Mexico, U.S.

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