Washington, DC—January 29, 2020….Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the below statement on President Trump signing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law. This critical trade deal, which Womack continually advocated for and voted to pass in December, modernizes U.S. trade policies with Canada and Mexico – two of Arkansas’s top trading partners. The legislation provides a strong framework that will support economic growth, enhance market access, create jobs, and unleash new sources of opportunity:

“The USMCA is a win for Arkansas and America, and today’s signing delivers a 21^st century trade framework. This landmark agreement expands market access for the Natural State’s world-class products, which will grow our economy and support Arkansas’s hardworking farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and families. I thank President Trump for his work and commitment to getting this deal across the finish line.”

Among key wins in this trade deal, the USMCA will:

• Increase market access for Arkansas products in Mexico and Canada;
• Give Arkansas poultry producers new export access to Canada for chicken and eggs;
• Expand the ability of Arkansas producers to sell turkey abroad;
• Support more than 120,000 jobs in the Natural State;
• Assist American innovators by creating a new chapter dedicated to digital trade;
• Create hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide; and
• Bolster American auto production and automotive jobs.

Trade is vitally important to Arkansas, with Canada and Mexico accounting for one-third of our state’s exports. A recent report from the World Trade Center Arkansas found that, in 2018, exports to Canada amounted to $1.2 billion and exports to Mexico totaled $870 million.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense and transportation, housing and urban development subcommittees.

womack.house.gov

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