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[Pages S205-S206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE AGREEMENT
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, later today, the President will sign phase
one of the trade agreement we are negotiating with China. Of particular
importance to my State, phase one includes a pledge from China to
substantially increase its imports of American agriculture products.
That is good news for South Dakota. It is good news for farmers and
ranchers who have been struggling in a tough ag economy. Low commodity
and livestock prices, natural disasters, and protracted trade disputes
have made the last few years challenging ones for farmers and ranchers
around the country.
I spend a lot of time in South Dakota, talking to our farmers and
ranchers. One thing they always emphasize is the need for trade deals
that will open up new markets or expand current markets for their
products.
The China deal should significantly increase demand for American
agricultural products and boost the farm economy. But while this
agreement is excellent news, we do need to make sure that China will
actually live up to its commitments. China doesn't have
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the best record in this regard, so it is important the United States
make clear that any agreements must be honored.
As we wait for the China deal to take effect, one piece of definite
good news on the trade front is the arrival in the Senate of the United
States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. After months of delay by House
Democrats, USMCA is finally--finally--moving through Congress. Here in
the Senate, it is advancing rapidly through the required committees,
and I expect it will be received for final Senate consideration in the
next few days.
Last week, I voted in support of this agreement in the Senate Finance
Committee, and just this morning--a few minutes ago, in fact--I voted
for this agreement in a meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has been a big priority of
mine over the past year, in particular because of the ways the
agreement would benefit farmers and ranchers.
Canada and Mexico are the No. 1 and No. 2 markets for American
agriculture products, and this agreement will preserve and expand
farmers' access to these two critical export markets and give farmers
certainty about what these markets are going to look like going
forward.
I am particularly pleased about the ways that USMCA will benefit
dairy farmers. If you drive the I-29 corridor north of Brookings, SD,
you can see firsthand the major dairy expansion South Dakota has
experienced over the past several years.
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will preserve U.S. dairy farmers'
role as a key dairy supplier to Mexico, and it will substantially
expand market access to Canada. The U.S. International Trade Commission
estimates that the agreement will boost U.S. dairy exports by more than
$277 million. The agreement will also expand market access for U.S.
poultry and egg producers. It will make it easier for American
producers to export wheat to Canada and much more.
Of course, the benefits of this agreement are not limited to farmers
and ranchers. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will benefit
virtually every sector of the economy, from manufacturing to digital
services to the automotive industry. It will create hundreds of
thousands of new jobs, boost our economic output, and increase wages
for workers.
The agreement also breaks new ground by including a chapter
specifically focused on small and medium-sized businesses--the first
time a U.S. trade agreement has ever included a dedicated chapter on
this topic.
Roughly, 120,000 small and medium-sized businesses around our country
export goods and services to Mexico and Canada, including a number of
businesses in my home State of South Dakota. The United States-Mexico-
Canada Agreement will make it easier for these businesses to
successfully export their products. South Dakota businesses and
consumers will also benefit from the fact that the agreement maintains
the current U.S. de minimis threshold, which is something I fought hard
to protect.
It is too bad farmers and ranchers had to wait so long for the USMCA
trade agreement. This agreement was concluded well over a year ago, and
it could have been taken up much sooner. But House Democrats have,
unfortunately, been more focused on playing political games than on
working with Republicans to do the American people's business.
I am very glad we are taking up this agreement now, though, and I
look forward to voting for final passage of USMCA in the very near
future. We should get this agreement to the President's desk without
delay.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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