USMCA a Significant Boost for Colorado Workers

Press Release

Today, President Trump signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) signaling a boost for Colorado workers. Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) released the following statement after the president signed the trade agreement:

"The U.S., Canada and Mexico have made historic progress restoring trade certainty for years to come. Colorado's farmers, ranchers and small businesses send more than $2.7 billion dollars of goods to our biggest trading partners, and this deal has the potential to significantly boost the economy in Colorado's Third Congressional District."

Background:

Tipton praised the House passage of USMCA before the end of last year.

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