Trade

Washington, D.C. – Following the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s announcement that the U.S. has requested consultations under the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement over Mexico’s energy policies, National Association of Manufacturers Vice President of International Economic Affairs Ken Monahan released the following statement:

“This bold action from the Biden administration and Ambassador Katherine Tai is critical to stemming measures implemented and proposed by the government of Mexico that contradict the letter and spirit of the USMCA and undermine the rule of law in Mexico.

“Energy and electric power generation measures implemented by Mexico have favored dramatically the interests of Mexico’s state-owned electrical utility and state-owned oil and gas company. This adds costs for manufacturers that rely on existing contracts with energy suppliers and makes it harder for them to meet long-term sustainability goals in Mexico, while also slowing the deployment of renewable energy in Mexico.

“Manufacturers welcome the news that the U.S. has requested dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under the USMCA. We stand ready to work with USTR to quickly reverse Mexico’s unfair energy policies and to address the many other industry challenges in Mexico.”

Background:

On June 30, NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons detailed for President Biden a wide range of market access, regulatory and other commercial challenges in Mexico faced by manufacturers. Timmons underscored that “failure to prioritize enforcement of these commercial challenges will undermine the long-term credibility of the USMCA.”

-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 $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 58% 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 NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.