Rapid Response

01-29-20

Progress on Trade, though Vigilance is Needed

Our union has been the leading voice for better trade policy for decades because we’ve seen what happens when trade is done wrong. A year ago, the Administration presented Congress with an inadequate deal to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement. We fought to make it better. Thanks to our efforts plus those of our allies in Congress, we gained key improvements. Both the House and Senate have now passed the agreement, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The President is expected to sign it this week.

Because of the insistence of Steelworkers like you, the revised version makes it easier for the U.S. to initiate complaints against Mexican companies for trade violations, provides for multi-national inspections of Mexican factories, and gives the U.S. the authority to impose significant penalties and ultimately to block violators’ goods. In addition, Mexico must follow through with promised labor reforms, such as giving workers the right to organize, or face repercussions. When Mexican workers join unions, their wages will rise, giving U.S. employers less incentive to relocate jobs.

This agreement is worlds away from where it started a year ago. However, the work is just beginning to ensure it lives up to all its promises. That will take vigilance on the part of all countries involved to ensure that workers’ rights are a priority.