United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is a win for Tennessee | Opinion

With over 200,000 jobs in Tennessee hanging in the balance, it's time to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

David Kustoff
Guest Columnist
  • David Kustoff is a member of the United States House of Representatives for Tennessee's 8th congressional district

In Tennessee, 248,700 jobs are supported by trade with Canada and Mexico. This total includes 35,521 manufacturing jobs and over 10,000 West Tennessee farm operations.

Importantly, Tennessee is home to roughly $13.7 billion in exports to Canada and Mexico.

It's clear our trade relationship with Canada and Mexico is critical to the Volunteer State’s economy.

That is why in Washington, I'm leading the fight with President Donald Trump to bring the bipartisan United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to the House floor for the vote it deserves.

Last year, President Trump sat down with Mexico and Canada to form the USMCA trade deal in order to modernize and improve the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Time for a change

NAFTA has led this country to prosperity in the international trade arena, but after decades, it is time for an upgrade.

NAFTA was formed before the iPhone, Amazon, Netflix, and Uber were created. Frankly, our businesses like farming, trade, and way of life have changed dramatically since 1994.

President Trump, along with our U.S. Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, worked hard to ensure the USMCA trade deal strengthened our partnership with Canada and Mexico by improving provisions that did not work in NAFTA, keeping the provisions that did work, and establishing new and modern standards that would help all American workers and employers.

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Trade agreement benefits everyone

Through better and more modern trade policies, the USMCA will not only increase Tennessee’s exports, but it will create more jobs, raise wages, and allow Tennesseans to achieve overall greater economic prosperity.

It will also give our farmers increased access to important soybean, pork, corn, beef, and dairy markets in Canada and Mexico. This is desperately needed at a time when our farmers are struggling with the effects of low market prices.

If passed, the USMCA would create the strongest rules on digital trade of any international agreement, providing a great foundation for the expansion of trade in new and innovative services. 

With hundreds of companies and associations endorsing this trade agreement, there is no reason for Nancy Pelosi to continue to delay passing the USMCA. 

Delay of approval will not only hurt American jobs, but the United States would miss out on over $68 billion in new economic growth and $34 billion in new manufacturing investments.

The time to act is now

A vote for the USMCA is a win for the American people, and I am certain that if the USMCA were voted on today, it would pass and it would pass with bipartisan support.

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff

I want you to know that I will continue my strong advocacy for the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, and will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to promote its support.

America’s hardworking farmers, manufactures, taxpayers, consumers, and businesses are depending on it.

David Kustoff is a member of the United States House of Representatives for Tennessee's 8th congressional district