Boozman Bulletin: USMCA Heads to President’s Desk

 
I was pleased to support the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) when it came for a vote before the full Senate Thursday. The strong bipartisan support of this trade agreement demonstrates the importance of trade with Mexico and Canada to our country.

This pro-growth trade pact puts American workers first and brings the trade relationship between the United States, Canada and Mexico into the 21st century. It will provide Arkansas’s agricultural producers, workers and businesses with much needed certainty, so they can continue to be competitive well into the future.

This deal with our state’s top two trading partners will support economic growth, enhance market access, create jobs and increase economic opportunity. For too long, Arkansans have asked Congress to act on this modernized trade deal. Fortunately, the Senate worked promptly to move this historic agreement through to the finish line. I’m pleased we are able to deliver this economic accomplishment for hardworking Americans.

What Arkansans are Saying About USMCA

“USMCA will place the US in a much better trade position with Canada and Mexico. It will have a significant and positive impact for Arkansas agriculture and will promote the creation of thousands of manufacturing jobs across the country and in the state,” Randy Zook, President and CEO of Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas, said. 

“Passage of USMCA will help stabilize the marketplace and will allow the United States to focus efforts on other important trade agreements around the world," Rich Hillman of Carlisle, President of the Arkansas Farm Bureau. “On the heels of the U.S-China trade agreement signed on Wednesday, this marks consecutive agreements that will benefit Arkansas farmers and ranchers. Anything that benefits Arkansas agriculture also benefits our state’s tax base and, ultimately, the Arkansas economy.”

“After 26 years of consistent growth in exports from Arkansas to Canada and Mexico, long-term statistical data has shown this modern trade agreement will exceedingly propel the state’s economy through our two largest export partners. This strong symbiotic relationship with both countries is fostered by true partnership, which correlates with quantitative trends showing exports to both markets will continue growing for Arkansas through updates on the new USMCA,” Melvin Torres, Director of Western Hemisphere Trade at the World Trade Center Arkansas, said. “The World Trade Center Arkansas has worked diligently with small businesses, farmers and state and federal officials like Senator Boozman, to communicate the factual data showing the economic impact of USMCA. Our founder, Senator Boozman, has effectively conveyed the message of these data driven and quantifiable results, working tirelessly to increase exports for Arkansas, which have shown to strongly support our state’s economy, employing 26 percent of the state’s labor force in trade related jobs.” 

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Quick Takes

• Opening Trade Markets: This week, President Trump signed phase one of the Trade Agreement with China. Arkansas’s farmers and ranchers have been subjected to China’s unfair practices for too long. While work remains, China’s commitment to increase the amount of American farm products it purchases, along with the removal of specific barriers to entering the Chinese market, should be seen as welcome developments for our agriculture community. This is a promising step in the right direction.

• Iran Situation: The Iranian regime has proven time and again that is it a bully. General Qasem Soleimani was a terrorist mastermind directly responsible for the deaths of Americans and thousands of individuals throughout the Middle East. His reign of terror is over. President Trump has stood up to the Iranian regime in a very measured way. It is in Iran’s best interest to de-escalate the tensions, abandon its nuclear ambitions and stop sponsoring terror. I cosponsored a resolution honoring the members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the successful mission that killed Qasem Soleimani. His death makes the world a safer place.
  
  
• Funding Arkansas Priorities: With my support, Congress recently approved, and President Trump signed into law, funding for Fiscal Year 2020. Provisions in these bills stand to deliver numerous benefits for Arkansas.
  
  
• Investing in Rural America: Broadband is an important tool all Arkansans need access to in order to improve quality of life and advance economic opportunity. The lack of access to broadband puts rural America in danger of falling behind the curve. Having the ability to get online at school is as essential as having modern textbooks and ample supplies. This is why I introduced legislation that will help ensure that children in our rural communities have the same opportunities as their peers in urban and suburban schools.
  
  
• Supporting Higher Education: Congress recently approved, and the president signed into law, the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act. This law permanently funds the nation’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions and also simplifies the FAFSA form that students must complete to be eligible for federal aid. Read more about it and why I believe it will help more Arkansans further their education.
  
  
• Let Me Help You: I’m proud of what my staff and I have accomplished to resolve issues involving the federal government on behalf of hardworking Arkansas families including problems with Social Security, Medicare paperwork glitches, passport troubles, tax matters or veterans issues. Let us help you.
  
  
• Connect on Social Media: Stay up to date with what I’m doing for Arkansans via social media. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.