Walorski, Walters, GOP House members seek NAFTA updates

U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Mimi Walters (R-CA) led Republican lawmakers in calling on President Donald Trump to maintain the nation’s participation in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and to reform the trade pact for the next century.

Representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada are scheduled to attend the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru on April 13-14 to rework NAFTA in a way that hopefully satisfies all three countries.

“We can further improve economic opportunities for American consumers, workers, and job creators by remaining in NAFTA and modernizing the agreement,” according to a March 28 letter to the president signed by 68 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Joining Reps. Walorski and Walters in signing the letter were U.S. Reps. Billy Long (R-MO), Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), Andy Barr (R-KY), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Don Bacon (R-NE), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Frank Lucas (R-OK), John Shimkus (R-IL), Jim Renacci (R-OH), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Fred Upton (R-MI), Steve Womack (R-AR), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), John Ratcliffe (R-TX), and Mike Bishop (R-MI).

“The effort you have led to modernize the agreement for the 21st century is incredibly important and, in combination with the historic tax cuts that you signed last year, has the potential to unleash the American economy unlike any other time before,” the lawmakers wrote.

The members also pointed out that NAFTA provides the base for a strong North American economy that would enable the nation to win in global trade competition. Additionally, they wrote, current U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico represents $1.3 trillion annually and supports 14 million jobs, according to the letter.

“Canada and Mexico are the biggest export destination for 37 states. Whether big or small, American manufacturers, farmers, and the services providers from across all sectors of our economy have benefited from NAFTA,” wrote the lawmakers, adding that from 1993 to 2016, agriculture exports to Canada and Mexico quadrupled from $8.9 billion to $38.1 billion.

However, NAFTA is two decades old, the members acknowledged in their letter, and there’s “clear opportunity” to improve the trade pact and reform its rules to reflect the 21st century economy.

“Enhanced market access, reduced bureaucratic red tape, expanded energy exports and updated rules on digital trade, intellectual property rights and regulatory standards — all fully enforceable through binding dispute settlement — will create certainty for American business, new opportunities for more American jobs, and more benefits to consumers,” the members wrote.

The lawmakers continued by saying that the president’s economic stewardship has “triggered positive momentum” that hasn’t been seen in years. Tax cuts that have been signed into law have led to pay raises, bonuses and better benefits for workers, as well as new investments in equipment and facilities, they noted.

“We look forward to working with you and your Administration to realize our shared goal of a modernized NAFTA that will foster even greater economic success for Americans as we continue to compete and win around the world,” the lawmakers told the president.