Press Releases

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today issued a statement following the announcement that House Democrats and the Trump administration reached a deal to secure improvements to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“Nobody knows the importance of having a better trade agreement than we do in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Cartwright. “The USMCA we have today is a significant improvement upon the agreement submitted to Congress last year, and a major upgrade from the original NAFTA. New enforcement mechanisms to hold our trading partners to their labor reform promises will help ensure America’s manufacturing workers are not on the losing side of trade. I’m pleased that my colleagues have been able to work constructively with the Trump administration to reach a stronger agreement for American workers.”

Over the past several months, House Democrats engaged in extensive negotiations with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to improve the USMCA. In addition to stronger labor enforcement mechanisms, House Democrats also secured better environmental protections and measures to preserve Congress’ ability to improve access to affordable medicines.

More information on the USMCA improvements can be found here.