Passing USMCA A Welcome Christmas Present
Statement
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) after more than a year since leaders of the three countries signed the deal. USMCA required implementing legislation to become law. Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) supported the measure and released the following statement:
"USMCA will significantly improve trade flows, benefitting small businesses, farmers and all Coloradans. The American economy has transformed dramatically in the 25 years since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed into law. NAFTA has failed to keep pace with certain elements of our rapidly expanding economy including digital trade flows, manufacturing and access to markets for American agricultural products. Last year, Colorado exported more than $2.7 billion worth of goods to Canada and Mexico and passing USMCA is sure to keep that number growing. This is a welcome Christmas present for our economy, and I look forward to improving trade policies that benefit Colorado's Third Congressional District."
Background:
In 2018, Colorado exported $1.4 and $1.3 billion to Canada and Mexico respectively.
Total trade exports to other nations in 2017 (the latest available figure from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative) from Pueblo was approximately $230.3 million, and Grand Junction $79.4 million, the two largest metropolitan areas in Colorado's Third Congressional District.
USMCA allows for greater market access for American dairy and poultry exports to Canada.
On September 25, 2019, Tipton sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to address a reciprocal market access issue between American potatoes and Mexican avocados. The market issue has largely been tied up in the Mexican federal courts, but Sec. Perdue assured Tipton that once resolved, they will work to enforce a 2003 deal the two countries made.
On December 9, 2019, Tipton joined a letter to Speaker Pelosi with 159 Republicans in the House to urge a vote on USMCA.
Tipton has received numerous letters of support on USMCA from organizations such as:
Outdoor Industry Association
Colorado Livestock Association
Business Roundtable
Consulate General of Canada
USMCA Coalition (over 50 agricultural associations)
Source