Michigan Businesses Applaud Stevens for USMCA Advocacy
WASHINGTON – As the President signed the bipartisan United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement into law today, Michigan businesses praised the long-awaited renegotiation of NAFTA and applauded Rep. Haley Stevens’ work to push for House passage of this important agreement.
“The USMCA is a better deal for Michigan workers and businesses,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “Trade with Canada and Mexico supports 36,000 jobs in Michigan’s 11th District, and more than $3.6 billion in goods and services from Michigan’s 11th District were exported to Canada and Mexico in 2017. I am proud of our bipartisan work to get a better deal that rights some of the pain of NAFTA and puts workers first.”
Businesses in Michigan—from large corporations to medium- and small-sized firms—have made clear that the USMCA will provide much-needed certainty and opportunity for growth. Several businesses and trade associations representing Michiganders shared their support with Stevens:
“We are so grateful to Representative Haley Stevens for her leadership in getting the USMCA across the finish line in the House of Representatives. As freshman class president and an expert on manufacturing, she played a critical role in this great bipartisan accomplishment that enhances supply chains and economic certainty for the U.S. motor vehicle parts sector.”
– Ann Wilson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association
"Congresswoman Stevens understood the USMCA’s importance and was a key auto industry ally who demonstrated real leadership in getting the agreement approved in the House of Representatives.”
– Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
“USMCA is vital to the success of the North American auto industry. GM has invested $27 billion in its American manufacturing operations over the last ten years and has accounted for 26 percent of all U.S. automotive manufacturing investment since 2010. From 2019, GM announced investments totaling over $4 billion across six states including Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. The certainty that comes with having this strong and modern agreement in place is welcome news and we look forward to working with all three governments on its implementation. We appreciate the strong support of Congresswoman Stevens for getting this done.”
– General Motors
“Michigan Farm Bureau strongly supports the new USMCA trade agreement and applauds Congresswoman Haley Stevens for her support to move the agreement through the House of Representatives. Rep. Stevens helped to keep the pressure up, and urged leadership early on to hold a vote before the close of 2019. This new agreement will modernize trade with our two closest neighbors and grow market opportunities for Michigan farmers.”
– John Kran, National Legislative Counsel, Michigan Farm Bureau
“The agreement provides more incentives for automotive manufacturing to take place in North America, and experts expect this will generate tens of thousands of new jobs in the United States over the next several years, which would boost our economy here in Metro Detroit. Our manufacturers in Livonia are happy to see certainty in the business landscape with the adoption of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. This makes it easier to plan their future investments. This also adds momentum to efforts by our leading manufacturers and the Livonia Chamber to encourage more young people to pursue careers in the skilled and technical trades, talent that is in great need in a growing manufacturing industry.”
– Dan West, President and CEO, Livonia Chamber of Commerce
“We thank President Trump for ratifying the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, and recognize the important role U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer, Speaker Pelosi and House and Senate leaders played in getting this bipartisan deal across the finish line. Ford already produces and exports more U.S.-built vehicles and employs more U.S. manufacturing workers than any other automaker. This trade pact spurs innovation, cracks down on currency manipulation and supports U.S. manufacturing while ensuring the U.S. auto industry remains globally competitive. We are grateful for these bipartisan efforts and will continue to be a collaborative partner as USMCA is ratified and implemented in all three markets.”
– Joe Hinrichs, President, Automotive, Ford Motor Company
“We once again thank President Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and leaders of both parties in Congress for their herculean efforts to deliver this win for manufacturers of all sizes—from small family businesses to iconic global brands. The USMCA will finally provide manufacturers the certainty they need to keep reaching for new heights and secure the millions of American jobs that depend on North American trade. Manufacturers were proud to help shape the USMCA, to mobilize and build historic bipartisan support for the deal and to be on hand as President Trump affixed his signature to the legislation.”
– Jay Timmons, President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers
“As a globally operating company with global flows of goods, Bosch fundamentally welcomes the links between different nations and economic areas provided by free and fair trade. Comprehensive free trade agreements offer huge opportunities for more growth and employment. For the automotive industry in particular, the agreement ensures that the region remains globally competitive. Under the USMCA, the supplier community will continue its role as a leader in innovation and economic development.”
– Robert Bosch LLC
BACKGROUND
Rep. Stevens was one of 14 House Democrats to push for a vote on the USMCA in July 2019. As Co-President of the freshman class, Rep. Stevens convened a meeting between United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer and freshman lawmakers, whose support was critical to House passage of the agreement.
The USMCA has been endorsed by a broad coalition of labor unions and business organizations including the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, United Steelworkers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Manufacturers.
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