Trade

Manufacturers from all over the nation came to Washington, D.C., this week to express the urgent need for United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) passage at a series of events with key legislative decision-makers. 

On Monday, a delegation of manufacturing leaders met with Vice President Mike Pence to highlight the importance of the USMCA to the U.S. manufacturing industry. Executives present included National Association of Manufacturers former Board Chair and Emerson CEO David Farr, Winton Machine Company CEO Lisa Winton, Kent Corporation CEO Gage Kent, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Sukup Manufacturing Co. President Charles Sukup and HM Manufacturing President Nicole Wolter. 

Manufacturing reps and USMCA stakeholders are in DC today to meet with @HouseGOP and @HouseDemocrats about USMCA. Canada and Mexico purchase 1/5 of the total value of the U.S.’ manufacturing output, supporting 2 million jobs. #USMCAnow https://t.co/ASCusR5MPx

— The NAM (@ShopFloorNAM) July 17, 2019

“The Trump administration continues to show its steadfast commitment to America’s manufacturing workers,” said Farr. “Manufacturers in Missouri and across the nation are keeping our promise to grow, invest and hire. This historic agreement will help us sustain this momentum. Congress must act now and ratify this agreement.” 

On Wednesday, during the NAM’s “Trade Makes America” Capitol Hill fly-in, more than 130 manufacturing representatives and USMCA stakeholders engaged in more than 130 meetings with offices throughout the House of Representatives and the Senate to make the case for passage of the agreement as soon as possible. Beginning on last Wednesday’s USMCA “day of action,” thousands of manufacturers have contacted Congress by phone and mail to advocate for USMCA passage.  

“There is increasing recognition from both sides of the aisle about the need to modernize North American trade rules,” said NAM vice president of international economic affairs policy Linda Dempsey. “As Congress considers the USMCA, it is vital that they hear from the men and women who make things in America, since they will be directly affected by their decision.” 

Enjoyed speaking today with manufacturing representatives and USMCA stakeholders about how vital USMCA is. More than 2 million U.S. manufacturing jobs are supported by exports to Canada and Mexico, and manufacturers in every state need certainty. #USMCAnow https://t.co/Qa6rnaFdAY pic.twitter.com/19Pi6HX70K

— Jay Timmons (@JayTimmonsNAM) July 17, 2019

Canada and Mexico purchase more U.S.-manufactured goods than our next 11 trading partners combined despite representing less than 4 percent of the global economy. Moreover, exports to Canada and Mexico support 2 million American manufacturing jobs and 40,000 small– and medium-sized businesses. Comprehensive new NAM data shows the USMCA’s positive impacts in every state. 

Already ratified by Mexico, the USMCA is designed to modernize and bolster free trade between North American nations, aiding workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses in each country. If ratified, the agreement will expand U.S. exports, improve intellectual property protections and enforcement and level the playing field for U.S. workers in every state.  

Manufacturers have been steadfast in urging quick congressional passage of the USMCA to ensure their businesses across the country can continue to grow, compete globally and support millions of well-paying jobs.  

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, July 17, the National Association of Manufacturers will bring manufacturing leaders from Michigan and across the country together in Washington to urge Congress to pass the new U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement. Manufacturers will meet with their respective members of Congress to let them know why the USMCA is pivotal to their businesses and the 2 million men and women across the nation, including more than 117,000 in Michigan, whose manufacturing jobs depend on exports to Mexico and Canada.

The USMCA is critical to the Michigan economy, and swift passage will help restore certainty for manufacturers across the country, allowing them to grow and compete with the rest of the world, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. Without this agreement, Michigan’s manufactured goods exports could be subject to $5.2 billion in extra taxes, threatening manufacturing jobs across the state and hurting consumers and families.

The USMCA, which has been ratified by Mexico, modernizes and bolsters free trade between North American nations, benefitting workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses in each country. The new agreement will expand U.S. exports, improve intellectual property protections and enforcement and create new provisions on digital trade.

Canada and Mexico purchase one-fifth of the total value of U.S. manufacturing output—more than the next 11 countries combined despite representing less than 4 percent of the global economy. These exports support about 2 million American manufacturing jobs and 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses. According to new state data from the NAM, Canada and Mexico purchase more manufactured goods from Michigan than the rest of the world combined, contributing $34 billion to the state economy each year.

A large chorus of Michigan businesses, chambers of commerce and industry organizations have all come out in support of USMCA passage.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, July 17, the National Association of Manufacturers will bring manufacturing leaders from California and across the country together in Washington to urge Congress to pass the new U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement. Manufacturers will meet with their respective members of Congress to let them know why the USMCA is pivotal to their businesses and the 2 million men and women across the nation, including more than 95,000 in California, whose manufacturing jobs depend on exports to Mexico and Canada.

The USMCA is critical to the California economy, and swift passage will help restore certainty for manufacturers across the country, allowing them to grow and compete with the rest of the world, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. Without this agreement, California’s manufactured goods exports could be subject to $10.1 billion in extra taxes, threatening manufacturing jobs across the state and hurting consumers and families.

The USMCA, which has been ratified by Mexico, modernizes and bolsters free trade between North American nations, benefitting workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses in each country. The new agreement will expand U.S. exports, improve intellectual property protections and enforcement and create new provisions on digital trade.

Canada and Mexico purchase one-fifth of the total value of U.S. manufacturing output—more than the next 11 countries combined despite representing less than 4 percent of the global economy. These exports support about 2 million American manufacturing jobs and 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses. According to new state data from the NAM, Canada and Mexico purchase more than one-quarter of California’s total global manufacturing exports, contributing $44 billion to the state economy each year.

A large chorus of California businesses, chambers of commerce and industry organizations have all come out in support of USMCA passage.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, July 17, the National Association of Manufacturers will bring manufacturing leaders from Texas and across the country together in Washington to urge Congress to pass the new U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement. Manufacturers will meet with their respective members of Congress to let them know why the USMCA is pivotal to their businesses and the 2 million men and women across the nation, including nearly 115,000 in Texas, whose manufacturing jobs depend on exports to Mexico and Canada.

The USMCA is critical to the Texas economy, and swift passage will help restore certainty for manufacturers across the country, allowing them to grow and compete with the rest of the world, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. Without this agreement, Texas’s manufactured goods exports could be subject to $37.3 billion in extra taxes, threatening manufacturing jobs across the state and hurting consumers and families.

The USMCA, which has been ratified by Mexico, modernizes and bolsters free trade between North American nations, benefitting workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses in each country. The new agreement will expand U.S. exports, improve intellectual property protections and enforcement and create new provisions on digital trade.

Canada and Mexico purchase one-fifth of the total value of U.S. manufacturing output—more than the next 11 countries combined despite representing less than 4 percent of the global economy. These exports support about 2 million American manufacturing jobs and 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses. According to new state data from the NAM, Canada and Mexico purchase half of Texas’s total global manufacturing exports, contributing $123 billion to the state economy each year.

A large chorus of Texas businesses, chambers of commerce and industry organizations have all come out in support of USMCA passage.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – A delegation of manufacturing leaders met with Vice President Mike Pence today to highlight the importance of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement to manufacturing in the United States.

The delegation included former NAM Board Chair and Emerson Chairman and CEO David Farr, Winton Machine Company Co-Owner and CEO Lisa Winton, Kent Corporation Chairman and CEO Gage Kent, General Motors Company Chairman and CEO Mary Barra, Sukup Manufacturing Co. President Charles Sukup and HM Manufacturing President Nicole Wolter.

“The Trump administration continues to show its steadfast commitment to America’s manufacturing workers,” said Farr. “Manufacturers in Missouri and across the nation are keeping our promise to grow, invest and hire. This historic agreement will help us sustain this momentum. Congress must act now and ratify this agreement.”

“Manufacturing in Georgia is stronger thanks to policies like tax reform and regulatory certainty,” said Winton. “To keep making significant contributions to local economies, we need certainty on trade, which means we need Congress to pass the USMCA. It’s essential to the livelihoods of Georgia manufacturing workers.”

Canada and Mexico are manufacturers’ top trading partners, purchasing one-fifth of the total value of U.S. manufacturing input—more than the next 11 countries combined. These exports support 2 million American manufacturing jobs and 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses. Comprehensive new state data from the NAM shows the USMCA’s positive impacts in each state and throughout the U.S. On Wednesday, the NAM is bringing manufacturing leaders from across the country together in Washington to urge Congress to pass the USMCA.

“The USMCA would undoubtedly strengthen and expand the U.S. food and agriculture industry—and all the sectors that support it, including manufacturers,” said Kent. “Agriculture is at the center of the Iowa economy, supporting countless jobs and industries. Each day that passes without the USMCA in place is a day that costs Iowa’s manufacturers and businesses.”

“General Motors has long supported efforts to modernize the agreement and believes passage of USMCA is vital to the success of the US automotive industry,” said Barra. “The certainty that comes from having USMCA in place will allow us to continue to invest in manufacturing in the United States with confidence.”

“American businesses need certainty in our trade policy to create jobs and grow,” said Sukup. “Without concrete, modern trade laws with our closest trading allies—Canada and Mexico—manufacturers in America won’t reach our full potential. On behalf of Iowa’s more than 25,000 employees whose jobs rely on North American trade, I urge Congress to swiftly pass the USMCA.”

“Tariff-free, modern trade is important for Illinois manufacturers, especially us small businesses,” said Wolter. “Selling what we make here to countries around the world helps us to remain competitive in today’s global economy. It also helps us to reinvest in our businesses, hire more employees and give back to the community.”

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping:

A trade deal, not a trade war, is exactly what manufacturers have advocated over the last year and a half, and today’s meeting brings us closer to that goal. We will continue to seek a new structure for the U.S.–China commercial relationship that eliminates unfair practices and opens China’s market through strong enforceable new trade rules. Manufacturers are encouraged that the two countries will refrain from escalating tariffs further to allow for new rounds of negotiation.

Manufacturers need certainty now. For too long, manufacturers have paid the price while China has reaped the rewards of its unfair trade practices, intellectual property theft and exploitation of existing trade agreements. The effects of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs are further weighing on our confidence and our ability to hire and grow. With a more level playing field, we will be better equipped to reach our full potential.

A bilateral, enforceable trade agreement would be history-making and game-changing for America’s manufacturing workers. As the first business association to call for such an agreement, the NAM will continue to work with the administration to ensure manufacturers’ priorities are top of mind as U.S.–China talks continue.

The NAM first called for the administration to pursue a bilateral trade agreement with China in a letter from Timmons to President Trump in January 2018. The NAM has released a full negotiating objectives framework for an agreement that will address China’s unfair trade practices and level the playing field for manufacturers in the United States.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

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Robotic packaging manufacturer JLS Automation received some distinguished visitors earlier this month when Vice President Mike Pence, Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and three members of Congress toured its manufacturing facility in York, Pennsylvania along with JLS CEO Craig Souser, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons and local manufacturing leaders. The event focused on advancing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which would promote trade between the three countries and is currently being considered in Congress.

At the event, Vice President Pence spoke about the importance of the deal for manufacturers in the United States, noting that Pennsylvania already exports more than $14 billion in goods and services to Canada and Mexico. The vice president also highlighted the impact this deal would have on the more than 2 million American manufacturing jobs that depend on exports to Canada and Mexico—including 42,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, as outlined in the NAM’s own USMCA state fact sheet.  One in four Pennsylvania manufacturing firms export to North American partners, as the fact sheet further states, and more than 80 percent of them are small and medium-sized businesses.

Without a free trade agreement, Pennsylvania’s exports to North American free trade partners could face more than $1.5 billion in tariffs.

“It’s absolutely essential we get the USMCA passed by the Congress, and passed by the Congress this summer,” said Vice President Pence. “It’ll finally give American workers and farmers a level playing field that we need to be able to compete and win.”

The NAM has been vocal in its support of the USMCA, standing up for manufacturers like JLS Automation across the country that rely on trade in order to keep their businesses running.

“When we talk about growing international trade, we’re talking about something very, very local: strengthening our communities and supporting our families,” said Jay Timmons, NAM President and CEO. “That’s why JLS and manufacturers across the United States and the more than 12.8 million men and women who make things in America are calling on Congress to ratify the USMCA – and the sooner the better!”

At the event, JLS Automation CEO Craig Souser emphasized the importance of the Canadian market to his business—a family-run operation his father, Joseph L. Souser, founded—and urged lawmakers to pass the deal.

“We need to see our lawmakers in Washington help to expand our ability to penetrate this market with modern trade policies and pass the USMCA,” said Souser. “The administration has kept its promise to negotiate a new North American trade deal. So it’s time for the Congress and the Senate to do its part so that we can focus on what we do best: make world-class machines.”

In May, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominees to the Export-Import Bank board. The board now has a quorum for the first time in four years, allowing it once again to consider deals larger than $10 million. Manufacturers’ attention now turns to securing congressional reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank.

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons explains what’s at stake.

The NAM is leading the fight for Ex-Im Bank reauthorization. Start with the basics. What does that mean?

Later this year, Congress will have to vote on whether to keep the Ex-Im Bank open and authorize it to continue helping manufacturers in the United States compete for deals around the world.

Why does the Ex-Im Bank matter so much to manufacturers?

It’s a vital tool to support manufacturing jobs in the United States. The Ex-Im Bank has supported 2.5 million jobs since 2000. Typically, more than 90 percent of the Ex-Im Bank’s transactions directly support small businesses.

And here’s something that’s really impressive — the Ex-Im Bank has generated $9.6 billion for taxpayers since 1992. It’s a government agency that makes money!

Other countries are running nearly 100 other export credit agencies. So, if we don’t have the Ex-Im Bank, we are at a big disadvantage.

You mention “export credit agencies.” You mean other countries have their own versions of the Ex-Im Bank?

Exactly. And they use those agencies to lure manufacturers to their countries, support their own manufacturers and steal manufacturing jobs away from the United States. That’s not going to change. So, we can “disarm” ourselves here in the United States and let other countries like China have the advantage. Or we can support the Ex-Im Bank.

So this all comes back to China?

Definitely. It helps level the playing field for manufacturers in the United States to compete with China, as well as other countries.

Two of China’s export credit agencies provided $45 billion in medium- and long-term investment support for projects around the world, more than the rest of the world combined. That’s what we have to compete against.

What can manufacturing workers or manufacturing supporters do to make a difference?

Contact your senators and representatives. Tell them to support the Ex-Im Bank and reauthorize it. Let them know that supporting the Ex-Im Bank is supporting American manufacturing workers.

National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons warned today of the grave consequences of the administration’s plan to levy tariffs on Mexico, and ultimately manufacturing workers, to stem migration from Central America.

We share @RealDonaldTrump’s frustration with our broken immigration system. But intertwining difficult trade, tariff and immigration issues creates a Molotov cocktail of policy. Manufacturing workers should not be forced to suffer because of DC’s failure to act on immigration.

— Jay Timmons (@JayTimmonsNAM) May 31, 2019

These proposed tariffs would have devastating consequences on US manufacturers and consumers. We’ve taken our concerns to the highest levels of the administration and strongly urge them to consider the impact of this action carefully.

— Jay Timmons (@JayTimmonsNAM) May 31, 2019

Saying that intertwining trade, tariffs and immigration creates a Molotov cocktail of policy, Timmons urged Congress and the administration to work together to find a comprehensive legislative solution on immigration, which manufacturers have offered in A Way Forward.

We’re working hard to secure passage of USMCA…the last thing we want is to put that deal in jeopardy. We’ll keep working on both sides of the aisle for USMCA and our immigration plan but we cannot afford to harm millions with tariffs at the same time. https://t.co/Hclg5nhfm6

— Jay Timmons (@JayTimmonsNAM) May 31, 2019

Click here to read Timmons’ full response.

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on announced U.S. tariffs on Mexico:

Manufacturers, like so many Americans and like President Trump, are frustrated with our broken immigration system and by the inaction that has led to a true humanitarian crisis. The answer to our broken system is a comprehensive, legislative solution, which manufacturers have offered in ‘A Way Forward.’ We continue to urge the administration and Congress to work together to address this crisis because the problem will not be solved just by blaming other countries. Intertwining difficult trade, tariff and immigration issues creates a Molotov cocktail of policy, and America’s manufacturing workers should not be forced to suffer because of the failure to fix our immigration system.

These proposed tariffs would have devastating consequences on manufacturers in America and on American consumers. We have taken our concerns to the highest levels of the administration and strongly urge them to consider carefully the impact of this action on working families across this country. Manufacturers have been working hard to secure passage of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement, and the last thing we want to do is put that landmark deal—and the 2 million manufacturing jobs that depend on North American trade—in jeopardy.

We will continue to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle on immigration reform, just as we are working to continue our hard-won progress on the USMCA. We cannot afford to put the livelihoods of millions of Americans at risk at the same time.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.