Tag: USMCA

Trump takes victory lap with USMCA signing

The Hill logoPresident Trump on Wednesday signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, celebrating a signature legislative accomplishment on trade.

“Today, we are finally ending the NAFTA nightmare and signing into law the brand new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement,” Trump said in remarks Wednesday morning.

“The USMCA is the largest, fairest, most balanced and modern trade agreement ever achieved. There’s never been anything like it.” Continue reading.

Rep. Phillips Votes to Pass Strong, Bipartisan USMCA Trade Deal

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) voted for a strong and enforceable USMCA trade deal, which passed the House today. The deal will improve the American economy, safeguard workers’ rights, protect the environment, and improve access to affordable prescription drugs.

“I’m on a mission to restore Americans’ faith in our government, and the USMCA deal we announced today is exactly how our process should work,” said Phillips. “Republicans and Democrats in Congress, the White House, businesses, and labor organizations came together to forge a strong and solvent deal that is good for everyone. Whether it’s increasing patients’ access to affordable prescriptions, protecting workers, or keeping international markets open for Minnesota businesses  – this deal is proof that we all win when everyone comes to the table in good faith.”

Rep. Phillips was heavily involved in the passage of the trade deal, both through the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and as an individual lawmaker. He pushed hard for fixes related to drug prices and labor enforcement, and convened a September meeting with Cargill CEO Dave MacLennan and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Washington to discuss the negotiations. Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Votes to Pass Strong, Bipartisan USMCA Trade Deal”

Phillips Touts Support for Strong, Bipartisan USMCA Trade Deal

WASHINGTON, DC – At a press conference today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) stood with House leaders to announce a strong and enforceable USMCA trade deal that will improve the American economy, safeguard workers’ rights, protect the environment, and improve access to affordable prescription drugs.

 “I’m on a mission to restore Americans’ faith in our government, and the USMCA deal we announced today is exactly how our process should work,” said Phillips. “Republicans and Democrats in Congress, the White House, businesses, and labor organizations came together to forge a strong and solvent deal that is good for everyone. Whether it’s increasing patients’ access to affordable prescriptions, protecting workers, or keeping international markets open for Minnesota businesses  – this deal is proof that we all win when everyone comes to the table in good faith.”

 Rep. Phillips was heavily involved in the passage of the trade deal, both through the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and as an individual lawmaker. He pushed hard for fixes related to drug prices and labor enforcement, and convened a September meeting with Cargill CEO Dave MacLennan and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Washington to discuss the negotiations. Continue reading “Phillips Touts Support for Strong, Bipartisan USMCA Trade Deal”

Trump’s Trade Deal and the Road Not Taken

A Ford Motor Company worker works on an assembly line. Credit: Bill Pugliano, Getty Images

How to Evaluate the Renegotiated NAFTA

Overview

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), President Trump’s 2018 revision to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), misses the chance to place workers at the center of U.S. trade priorities. Congress should insist on an approach that does.

Introduction and summary

American workers’ real wages have been stagnant for decades. While a wide range of domestic forces have led to that outcome—from a decline in union coverage to the slow and uneven recovery from the Great Recession1—trade has also played an important role in generating economic stress. Capital is increasingly mobile across country borders, yet workers are not. Business, in effect, can level an ultimatum to workers: Accept what we offer, or we will outsource or move to another country where wages are lower. Millions of working families have personally experienced this threat in recent decades, and the resulting economic stress on many American workers—especially in the Midwest—has been significant. Continue reading “Trump’s Trade Deal and the Road Not Taken”