Wyden Calls for Increased USMCA Enforcement

During Thursday’s Senate Finance Committee Hearing, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden talked trade, specifically USMCA.  He started the meeting talking about Wednesday’s vote in the House to repeal President Trump’s tariffs on Canada, tariffs Wyden noted were imposed in spite of the USMCA and without the support of Congress.

USMCA Is A Good Agreement

“Trump’s chaotic tariffs are losing support across the political spectrum," Wyden said.  "Now the Senate needs to get that legislation to the President’s desk and deliver some relief to American workers and businesses as soon as possible.”

Wyden said USMCA is a good agreement that received bipartisan support.  An agreement Wyden said promised to open up export opportunities for American farmers and businesses.

Why Isn't The Administration Enforcing USMCA?

“Without strong enforcement, trade agreements aren’t worth the paper they’re written on," Wyden said.  "A trade agreement can’t achieve its intended goals unless it is strongly enforced. Since Donald Trump took office last year, his U.S. Trade Representative has not begun a single enforcement case under USMCA. It hasn’t even taken the first step. As a direct result, there are real and legitimate concerns about USMCA not living up to its promises. The biggest culprit is an Administration and President who is more concerned with settling personal scores than putting American workers and businesses first. “

Oregon's senior senator added Congress needs to take back its Constitutional power over trade, noting that Congress needs to have a bigger say on trade and tariffs, and on holding the Executive Branch accountable for enforcing trade deals.

USMCA Has Resulted In Good Things For Local Farmers

Wyden said for the first four years after the USMCA was implemented, trilateral trade reached $1.9 trillion in 2024.  U.S. manufacturing hit an all-time high of nearly $3 trillion in 2024, while Ag exports hit over $60 billion.

Wyden added it was because of USMCA that the Mexican market was finally opened for American fresh potatoes after over two decades of unsuccessful talks. 

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