Cantwell Stresses Mexico During USMCA Discussions

As the Trump administration seeks ratification of USMCA, Senator Maria Cantwell emphasized the importance of trade with Mexico and enhancing opportunities for exporters in Washington by helping Mexico to better protect and enforce labor rights.  During a Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday, Cantwell said NAFTA is a greater trade agreement than USMCA.

“I think we have to remember as [former Ag] Secretary Tom Vilsack said the great economic impact that NAFTA did have on some aspects of our economy.  I’m not saying in every aspect, but I am saying in the state of Washington.  We export $2 billion worth of goods to Mexico. It probably accounts for 107,000 jobs in our state."

Cantwell added when discussing trade issues, the U.S. should be talking about expanding economic opportunity.  She noted one area where USMCA lacks is labor concerns in Mexico.

“It may be a Northwest perspective, but we definitely see and economy outside the United States and to me the key is going to be getting these issues right, and making sure we can enforce our agreements.”

She added if workers in Mexico are happier, they are happier consumers, and more likely to purchase products from the U.S., and specifically Washington.  Cantwell is working with fellow Democratic senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, to give the U.S. and Mexican governments better tools to identify where labor violations are occurring and better target enforcement actions.

Earlier this year, Mexico enacted an important new labor law that ensures the rights of Mexican workers to organize and enter into collective bargaining agreements. The new law creates independent labor courts and a Federal Labor Conciliation and Registration Center. Mexico is working to implement these reforms, but they need help and have asked for international assistance.

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