Letter to Vermont businesses and local economic development leaders - Governor Phil Scott Encourages Businesses and Stakeholders to "make voices heard' on NAFTA Negotiations

Letter

I am writing to you today to ask for your help protecting and expanding Vermont's economy.
As you know, the Trump Administration is currently negotiating the nation's participation in
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Vermonters enjoy a close and critical relationship with our Canadian neighbors. In fact, the
province of Quebec is Vermont's largest trading partner with $5 billion in trade annually.
That's why my administration has made strengthening our relationship with Canada an
important economic priority, and we're already seeing results.

I have long advocated, along with fellow governors and Canadian premiers, that we should
focus on modernizing and strengthening NAFTA, not withdrawing from it. A recent study by
the Business Roundtable (attached) suggests withdrawing from NAFTA would result in the
elimination of over 4,200 Vermont jobs. Additionally, termination of the trade agreement
would cause Vermont's economic output to fall by over $200 million. Our communities and
employers simply cannot afford these impacts.

I am asking you to join me in making your voice heard. Please contact the Office of the
United States Trade Representative by emailing correspondence@ustr.eop.gov and let them
know how important NAFTA is to Vermont, your organizations and communities. Failing to
renew the United States' commitment to NAFTA would undermine our businesses' ability to
compete in this increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Thank you for reaching out to our federal partners to express your support for renewing the
nation's participation in NAFTA.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development
for additional information.

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