ATA responds to USMCA agreement replacing NAFTA

The US, Mexico and Canada have finalized a trade deal that will replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Chris Spear, the president of the American Trucking Association sent out a letter to members on Dec. 9. The text of the letter is included below.

Dear ATA Members:

A long sought agreement on USMCA has been reached. This agreement is a significant step toward ratification, which is expected to happen before the House and Senate adjourn for the year.

Trade is a Tier 1 ATA priority and considerable work went into moving USMCA forward. I want to thank our members, state associations, coalition partners and stakeholders for playing a key role in making this happen. Once again, our Calls on Washington are making a difference. Our voice is being heard!

The ATA team and I will continue to track the remaining steps and keep you apprised.

ATA’s official statement is:

“Now with a clear path to USMCA’s ratification, this is an historic victory for truck drivers, motor carriers and the entire American economy,” said ATA President Chris Spear. “The vast majority of trade in North America moves on truck, with $772 billion worth of goods crossing our borders with Mexico and Canada every year. USCMA will provide the certainty our industry needs while ensuring the United States remains competitive on the world stage.”

“Trade is a tremendous driver of revenue and creator of jobs in trucking, which is why passing USMCA has been so important to our industry,” said ATA Chairman Randy Guillot, president of Triple G Express Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana. “Trade with our two closest neighbors supports nearly 90,000 Americans in trucking-related jobs and generates $12.62 billion in annual revenue for our industry. As USMCA deepens our economic ties, we expect these figures – like our economies – to continue to increase.”

“In a Washington that has been gridlocked by partisan politics, this is a great example of what is possible in creating consensus around good policy,” Spear said. “Truckers and our economy depend on good policymaking, and this bipartisan agreement is a reminder of how government can make our lives and businesses stronger. I thank President Trump, Speaker Pelosi, and all who have put disagreements aside to achieve this historic agreement.”

Best,

Chris Spear