Seattle, Washington — Lori Otto Punke, President of the Washington Council on International Trade (WCIT) issued the following statement regarding the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to replace the NAFTA
announced today.
“WCIT is encouraged that the Administration has struck a deal with Canada and Mexico to revise the NAFTA. An integrated North American market, which this new USMCA continues, is critical to Washington state businesses, farmers, ranchers and workers. Washington state exports into Mexico have increased 700 percent, and exports to Canada have grown 200 percent since North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) began. WCIT has long advocated for modernizing the NAFTA to create new market opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of Washington state in global markets. NAFTA contributed to 330,000 jobs in Washington State, we look forward to learning more about the new USMCA and its new potential for Washington State’s role in global trade.”