MEMA Joins Over 400 Companies and Organizations Urging Congress to Pass USMCA

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) joined over 400 other organizations and businesses in signing a letter to Congress urging an autumn passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The National Association of Manufacturers delivered the letter to Capitol Hill on Oct. 15.

“North America is the most significant trade market for the United States globally, with Canada and Mexico purchasing one-fifth of the total value of U.S. manufacturing output,” the letter states. “Canada and Mexico alone, despite representing less than four percent of the global economy, buy more U.S.-manufactured goods than our next 11 trading partners combined. Here at home, U.S. manufacturing exports to Canada and Mexico support millions of American manufacturing jobs as well as 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses and communities across all 50 states.”

MEMA, along with groups and companies such as American Automotive Policy Council, , American Iron and Steel Institute, American Trucking Associations, Cummins, FCA US LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Magna International, Precision Metalforming Association, Toyota Motor North America, Inc., and Volvo Group North America laid out the benefits of USMCA to Congress. The USMCA will replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement and modernize provisions that will strengthen America’s innovation engine, expand U.S. manufacturing access to Canada and Mexico, and improve transparency as well as pro-competitive activity for trade across all three countries.

The letter ends by calling on Congress, “to make consideration and approval of the USMCA a top priority this autumn to promote the continued growth of America’s manufacturing sector and well-paying manufacturing jobs across the United States.”

MEMA has been actively engaged with Congress to pass the USMCA. On Sept. 11, MEMA launched a legislative fly-in event, where almost 30 member companies travelled to Washington, D.C. and held 40 meetings with key members of Congress to garner support for the agreement. MEMA has continuously hosted roundtable meetings with representatives during congressional recesses as part of its Supplier Advocacy Network campaign. MEMA has also urged its members to visit its Action Center to send messages up to Capitol Hill urging passage of USMCA.

“Our country depends on a strong and successful motor vehicle supplier industry,” MEMA President and CEO Bill Long said in a video about the need to pass USMCA. “Every state is a motor vehicle parts manufacturing state. Every single one. Passing USMCA is a vote to ensure America and the American vehicle parts manufacturers have what they need to thrive in an ever more complicated and competitive global market.”