Woodstock – State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) is co-sponsoring a resolution urging Congress to ratify the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The USCMA represents an agreement between those three nations to renegotiate the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
“When American workers, farmers, and manufacturers are on a level playing field, they will always outperform their competitors.” said Rep. Reick. “In a time when our state’s economy continues to lag behind the rest of the country, the USCMA will give a much-needed boost to Illinois workers and create new markets for Illinois-made products. It’s time for members of Congress to put partisan differences aside and ratify the USMCA. Illinois workers need modernized free trade agreements that allow them to compete in the 21st century.”
The resolution, House Resolution 527, states, “The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) represents a beneficial update to the three nations’ already strong trade relationship and will positively impact the State of Illinois…Canada and Mexico are the largest trade partners of the State of Illinois, purchasing $31.8 billion in goods and services from Illinois and supporting 491,700 jobs in 2017…[W]e urge the United States Congress to promptly ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to enhance the economies of our State and our nation…”
Ratification of the USMCA would positively benefit Illinois workers. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), top export products include machinery, petroleum and coal products, computer and electronic products, and processed food, among other products.
The USMCA opens up Canadian and Mexican markets for products made in America, strengthens collective bargaining rights of workers, increases environmental protections, prohibits unfair currency practices, strengthens intellectual property rights, and more. You can find more information about the USMCA in the USTR Fact Sheet.
The USMCA is supported by the US Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and nearly 1,000 agricultural groups, including the Illinois Farm Bureau.
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