Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) filed House Resolution 527 urging Congress to approve the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). According to Rep. Charlie Meier, “the USMCA will help Illinois farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses compete with the global economy.”
The United States, Mexico, and Canada reached an agreement on November 30, 2018 to rebalance and modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement into a 21st century, high-standard trade deal. The new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will better serve the interests of American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses and support mutually beneficial trade leading to more free markets, more fair trade, and robust economic growth in North America.
“I urge Congress to pass the USMCA now in order to keep not only our state, but our nation competitive throughout the world,” said Rep. Meier. “The new USMCA represents a beneficial update to the three nations’ already strong trade relationship and will positively impact the State of Illinois. We need all the help we can get to stay competitive, this agreement is win for Illinois and a win for America.”
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. Agricultural exports from Illinois to Canada and Mexico amount to $8.2 billion and support 68,500 jobs, which the USMCA will solidify as it will maintain Illinois farmers’ access to the corn, soybean, and pork markets in Canada and Mexico.
According to the National Association of Manufacturers, Illinois’ top exports to Canada and Mexico include; petroleum and coal products; chemicals; agriculture, construction and mining machinery; food and beverages; motor vehicle parts; fabricated metal products; electrical equipment and components; motor vehicles; other machinery; iron and steel.
Rep. Meier added, “One-third of Illinois manufacturers’ export products to Canada and Mexico, and 69,400 manufacturing jobs rely on trade to these two countries. The USMCA will certainly boost the manufacturing base in our state. It’s time for Congress to stop stalling and pass the USCMA now.”