Statement from Washington Council on International Trade (WCIT) President Lori Otto Punke on U.S. Canada Tariff Threats
SEATTLE, July 2, 2020 – While the U.S. Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA), which entered into force this week, is good news for trade-reliant Washingtonians, threats of tariffs on imports of Canadian aluminum could upend the spirit of the new agreement. WCIT opposes a tariff-first strategy and believes tariffs are a blunt instrument that does more harm than good and should be a last resort when all other viable options have failed. The success of the USMCA rests on the ongoing cooperation between the trading partners. We support efforts to constructively resolve issues between the U.S. and Canada to avoid any harmful tariffs that could undermine the new trade pact and hurt our workers, businesses, and the regional economy.
ABOUT WASHINGTON COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE
On behalf of our members – manufacturers, farmers, retailers, service providers, and non-profits the Washington Council on International Trade advocates for pro-trade policies and investments that benefit Washington’s workers and employers. Trade paves the way for Washington-made goods and services to reach foreign markets, provides Washingtonians with products that raise our quality of life, and sustains family-wage jobs in numerous local industries. To learn more, visit us at https://www.wcit.org.