U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Darin LaHood (R-IL) on Jan. 29 joined the president during a White House signing ceremony to make the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act a new federal law.
“Today is the culmination of the administration’s ongoing efforts to secure better relations with two of our most significant trading partners,” Rep. Emmer said. “The administration kept the American farmer, producer, and manufacturer in mind as they increased access to critical markets and brought about a more prosperous trade relationship.”
Overall, the USCMA is expected to bring more than $68 billion in new economic activity to the United States and add 176,000 new American jobs.
H.R. 5430 received approval in December 2019 from the U.S. House of Representatives and then on Jan. 16 passed the U.S. Senate. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on Wednesday at the White House. Rep. Newhouse and Rep. LaHood both said it was an honor to attend the signing ceremony.
“The signing of this agreement today signifies President Trump’s kept promise to the American people: bringing NAFTA into the 21st Century and negotiating an agreement that benefits the United States,” said Rep. Newhouse, who attended on behalf of his constituents in central Washington State, including the farmers, ranchers and manufacturers who he said will benefit greatly from the USMCA. “This historic trade agreement will create jobs and expand access for U.S. industries with two of our most important trading partners.”
Rep. LaHood called trade with Mexico and Canada vital for Illinois and said that the USMCA is a win for his state’s farmers, manufacturers, small businesses, and workers.
“In central and west-central Illinois, our producers rely on the open market and free flow of goods to remain competitive in the global economy,” added Rep. LaHood. “USMCA maintains that important relationship, provides needed certainty, and will bolster our strong economy.”
Rep. Emmer also applauded the Trump administration’s “relentless commitment” to supporting the trade agreement and said he looks “forward to swift ratification by our Canadian neighbors.”