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U.S. Congress Ratifies Trump’s USMCA Trade Deal with Mexico and Canada

Local U.S. Representative Julia Brownley Votes in Favor

by Staff Writers

Washington, DC – On January 16, 2020, the United States Senate approved the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with a strong bipartisan vote of 89 to 10.  

United States Capitol Building

Key provisions of the agreement include: 1) Canadian dairy market is opened up to US farmers, 2) extension of copyrights from 50 to 70 years, 3) no duties on digital content, 4) liability protections for internet companies, 5) 40-45% of Mexican auto parts must be made by workers earning at least $16 per hour, 6) in order to qualify for zero tariffs, autos must have at least 75% (up from 62.5%) of components made in Mexico, US or Canada. The deal also includes a 16 year sunset clause, meaning that the deal expires in 16 years unless renewed.

The USMCA is a signature initiative of President Trump, who signed the agreement over a year ago and has been waiting for congressional ratification ever since.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the trade deal on December 19, 2019, the day after their impeachment vote. The measure passed in a bipartisan 385-41 vote. Local US Representative Julia Brownley (D) voted in favor of the deal. In a statement released on the day of the vote, she commented, “North American trade is vital to Ventura County’s economy and our national economy. In fact, California’s 26th Congressional District exports over $1 billion worth of goods and services to Canada and Mexico and over 24,000 jobs in Ventura County depend on U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade, including many in the agricultural industry, which is a proud part of our local heritage and critical to our local and regional economy.”

Brownley is being challenged for her congressional seat by local Oak Park resident Ronda Kennedy (R). When asked about the USMCA trade deal, Kennedy responded, “While this trade agreement is excellent for our local economy, if Julia Brownley had had her way, this deal would have never happened. She has been a back bencher who has never led on this trade deal.  Her vote for impeachment shows that she is a Pelosi puppet consumed with partisan politics rather than working for the people of the district.”

Mexico has already passed USMCA, so at this point, Canada is the only country yet to ratify – although most observers expect sufficient Canadian support.

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