Trucking leaders applaud ratification of USMCA Trade deal

Trucking leaders from across the country are commending Congress and the Trump administration for the recent ratification of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement, setting the stage for increased free, fair and equitable trade between our three countries.

“Trade is central to the trucking industry – 76 percent of all surface freight between the U.S. and our nearest neighbors moves by truck – so the newly ratified USMCA will be a boon to our economy and our industry,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “This agreement will boost both U.S. exports and gross domestic product, meaning more truck movements and delivering measurable returns for our industry.”

USMCA is projected to increase annual U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico by a combined $33 billion above the current NAFTA baseline. The agreement is also expected to increase U.S. GDP by $68 billion, stimulating broad sectors of the economy that the trucking industry services, like agriculture and manufacturing.

“NAFTA was the oldest of our 17 trade agreements and due for the sorts of modernization that USMCA made,” said ATA Chief Economist Senior Vice President of International Trade Policy and Cross-Border Operations Bob Costello. “With this new trade agreement in place, we can expect to see increases in exports to Canada and Mexico and a measurable increase in our gross domestic product in the years ahead. Because trucks move 70 percent of all freight in the U.S., implementation of USMCA will have direct benefits to the trucking industry.”

In 2018, trucks moved more than $770 billion worth of goods between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and transnational trade between the three countries supported roughly 90,000 U.S. jobs in the trucking industry. Those figures should only increase as USMCA is implemented.

“But more than that, it is proof positive that even in this increasingly polarized political environment, our elected leaders can still get big things done for the good of our country,” Spear said. “President Trump, Speaker Pelosi and Leader McConnell all deserve credit for setting aside partisanship and moving this important modernization of our trade policy forward.

“We hope that this shared victory will pave the way for more bipartisan solutions on the critical issues facing our countries, such as the infrastructure crisis and the skyrocketing costs it’s imposing on the American people.”

Likewise, here in Alabama, the measure is also being celebrated as a boon for trucking and commerce, and also for its bipartisan support.

“Truckers need trade, and this deal will benefit the trucking industry and consumers, alike,” said Alabama Trucking Association President and CEO Mark Colson. “I was also very pleased to learn that the entire Alabama Congressional delegation was in favor of this measure. This bipartisan agreement is a shining light at a time of partisan political divide and should be celebrated. Thank you to Alabama’s congressional delegation who unanimously supported the agreement.”