Wyden, Crapo Call For Full Enforcement Of USMCA

Senate Finance Committee Chair Oregon’s Ron Wyden, and Ranking Member Idaho’s Mike Crapo, are calling for the administration to continue to press for strong enforcement of USMCA.  Thursday’s letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says such enforcement will ensure American trading partners live up to their obligations.

Crapo and Wyden said they appreciate USTR’s work to combat Canadian dairy trade barriers and use of the Rapid Response Mechanism to address labor violations in Mexico.  But they called for USTR to do more to enforce the trade deal.

“Congress approved USMCA with large bipartisan majorities, in no small part because the deal included strong rules and the mechanisms necessary to enforce those rules,” Crapo and Wyden's letter said.  “Three years later, it is disappointing that Canada and Mexico have failed to come into full compliance with the Agreement—and, in some cases, have flouted their obligations.

"To ensure that all parties and stakeholders—including U.S. farmers, workers, and businesses—reap the full benefits of USMCA, USTR must take decisive action to ensure full compliance with the Agreement and with dispute settlement panel findings.  It is critical to ensure that every chapter of USMCA is fully and timely enforced.”

The Finance Committee leaders highlighted trade challenges in several areas, including the energy sector, agriculture, the environment, digital trade and labor, which need to be resolved, including through enforcement action if necessary, to ensure American workers, farmers and employers benefit from the deal.

Click Here to read the entire letter said to Representative Tai.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com