FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 26, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 200 companies and associations representing farmers and ranchers, manufacturers, service providers, and technology companies today announced the launch of the USMCA Coalition, which will advocate for congressional approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Over the coming weeks and months, the USMCA Coalition will make the case for expeditious passage of the agreement to members of Congress, and it will work to educate the American public about the benefits of the new deal. The effort will harness the advocacy strength of a broad membership of companies, trade associations, and chambers of commerce, including many that operate outside of Washington, D.C.

“USMCA is critical to the success of American businesses, farmers, and workers,” said Cathy Van Way, Head of Government Relations, Cummins Inc., and coalition co-chair. “For Cummins, our two largest export markets in the world are Canada and Mexico, and our trade with these countries has contributed to significant growth and global reach. When Cummins is successful globally, we add high quality jobs in communities across the country. And Cummins is not in this alone. When we are successful, so are our 2,500 direct U.S.-based suppliers that we spend approximately $2.5 billion with annually. USMCA will help rural and urban communities across the U.S. thrive and we encourage Congress to approve this important agreement.”

“The United States, Mexico and Canada have been transformed by nearly 25 years of open agricultural trade, creating a level of economic integration that has made North America one of the world’s most competitive and successful trading blocs,” said Devry Boughner Vorwerk, Corporate Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, Cargill and coalition co-chair. “We must ensure that the uncertainties that exist about the future of this vital relationship are removed, and passing USMCA is a critical step. We look forward to working with Congress to make this a reality.”

“For American manufacturers, like Owens-Illinois, the seamless, cross-border trade that USMCA will guarantee is critical for American jobs and manufacturers’ ability to compete around the world,” said Ryan Modlin, Vice President North American Government Affairs, from Owens-Illinois and coalition co-chair. The USMCA is not just a trade agreement, it is the foundation of our economic and broader relationship with two of our strongest allies that supports the manufacturing jobs of more than 2 million Americans, many at small- and medium-sized firms that depend upon this relationship.”

“USMCA has key improvements for the services sector, including a modernized financial services chapter that for the first time prohibits data localization requirements in the region,” said Candi Wolff, Executive Vice President for Global Government Affairs at Citi and coalition co-chair. “It’s critical that new trade agreements account for the fact that 75% of jobs in the private sector in the U.S. are now in services, and USMCA does that.”

“For Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the tens of thousands of workers we employ in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the USMCA is critical,” said Shane Karr, Head of External Affairs, FCA – North America and coalition co-chair. “The new trade agreement incentivizes the auto industry to make new investments to build our most advanced vehicles here and will ensure that our products remain competitive in markets around the world.”

“USMCA establishes best-in-class rules for e-commerce, digital trade, customs, and intellectual property protection,” said Laura Lane, President for Global Public Affairs at UPS and coalition co-chair. “The agreement includes rules that will help American entrepreneurs and innovators grow their businesses and keep their edge amid tough global competition.”

“For more than two decades, duty-free trade with Mexico and Canada has been a vital part of U.S. textile and apparel global value chains,” added Tom Glaser, Vice President, VF Corporation & President, Supply Chain, and coalition co-chair. “The USMCA will build on that success, equipping this North American partnership to be competitive in the decades to come.”

More information about the agreement and the coalition is available at www.USMCACoalition.org.

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