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  • Home
  • Our Work
    • Working Groups
    • Center for Regional Disaster Resilience
    • Congregate
    • Future Borders Coalition (Beyond Preclearance)
    • Pandemic Resilience Roadmap
    • PNWER RIA Program
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • 2022 Economic Leadership Forum
    • 2023 Annual Summit
    • Past Events >
      • 2022 Annual Summit
      • 2021 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2021 Summit
      • 2020 Economic Leadership Forum-Rising Economy Week
      • 2019 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2019 Summit
  • Webinars
    • Past Webinars
    • COVID-19 Recovery Call
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    • Current Sponsors
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USMCA RATIFICATION & TARIFFS


PNWER NAFTA Modernization and USMCA Taskforce

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Over the past two years, PNWER has strongly advocated to top U.S. Officials the importance of a fair, free, and stable trading relationship. 

During the 2016 Winter Meeting in Boise, ​The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Executive Committee created a PNWER NAFTA Modernization Taskforce with representatives from each of PNWER's U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions. The Taskforce conducted a survey among key regional U.S. and Canadian industries, businesses, and stakeholders to develop a list of overarching principles and recommendations for a modernized NAFTA. Results were submitted to both federal governments and presented at the PNWER 2017 Annual Summit. Results of the survey and submissions to the U.S. and Canadian federal governments can be viewed below.

In 2018, PNWER encouraged the U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments to strive towards a modernized NAFTA that builds upon its current success to further enhance trade and investment in North America. In the U.S., PNWER has communicated our recommendations to the White House, the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative. In Canada, PNWER presented to the Canadian Parliament on the importance of a tri-lateral NAFTA agreement. PNWER also sent numerous letters asking for Canadian exemption for steel and aluminum tariffs and the repeal of the tariff on Canadian newsprint. 

​PNWER sent six letters this year to the White House and U.S. Department of Commerce on the importance of bi-national trade and opposition to unnecessary tariffs. PNWER issued a statement against tariffs on uncoated paper that was used by Congress in an ITC Hearing. Ultimately, the tariff was discontinued. PNWER worked to galvanize state legislative support against tariffs and in favor of a waiver for Canada on steel and aluminum tariffs. PNWER hosted sessions at the Summit in Spokane and at the Whitehorse Economic Leadership Forum on the impact of tariffs and is working on compiling specific case studies of industries being affected. These case studies will be collected and shared with congressional leaders to illustrate the negative impact of steel and aluminum tariffs to industries on both sides of the border. 
“We believe that unilateral tariffs between the U.S. and Canada go against the principles of free and fair trade and only harm industries in both countries. When markets are open, and goods are transported freely across borders, the results are economic growth, new businesses and more and better job opportunities for individuals.” - Larry Doke, MLA, Saskatchewan 

PNWER Advocacy

Latest News

PNWER Letter to the USTR Concerning Re-Imposing Aluminum Tariffs- July 2, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New NAFTA finally approved today in Canada- March 13, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New NAFTA Trade Agreement will have Lasting Economic Benefits to the Region- December 10, 2019
Congress Should Modernize NAFTA and Ratify USMCA-
Joint Op-Ed written by Montana State Senator Mike Cuffe & Saskatchewan MLA Larry Doke
PNWER Supports Ratification of USMCA-July 22, 2019
Read the full statement here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PNWER Applauds Agreement Reached to Lift Steel and Aluminum Tariffs and Associated Retaliatory Tariffs - May 17, 2019
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"Unwarranted tariffs are disrupting trade between the world's closes allies & largest trading partners and negatively impacts regional supply chains" - Letter sent to U.S. Administration, November 2018

"We believe that new unilateral tariffs between the US and Canada go against the principles of free and fair trade and only harm industries in both countries. When markets are open and goods are transported freely across borders, the result is economic growth, new businesses and more and better job opportunities for individuals.​" - PNWER Leadership issues statement on NAFTA during 2018 Annual Summit - July 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PNWER Press Release on Tariffs- June 13, 2018

PNWER Letter to President Trump requesting exemption for Canada from steel and aluminum tariffs before July 1 - June 13, 2018

PNWER Letter to President Trump opposing tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium - May 31, 2018 

PNWER Letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross opposing tariffs on Canadian Newsprint - 
May 2, 2018

TARIFFS -THE WRONG WAY TO ACHIEVE GREATER ECONOMIC GROWTH, RESILIENCE, AND SECURITY IN NORTH AMERICA
PNWER Sends Letter to President Trump and Congressional Leadership - March 7, 2018


PNWER NAFTA Resolution 2017

NAFTA/Preclearance Efforts highlighted in the Annual Report
Expecting trade to ‘normalize,’ U.S. to repeal tariffs on Canadian aluminum-Inside U.S. Trade, September 15, 2020

U.S. to remove tariffs on Canadian aluminum if imports stay within limits- Reuters, September 15, 2020

​Partner Webinar: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Informational Webinar- North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO)

Pass USMCA Coalition Statement 2019 - Pass USMCA Coalition, an alliance advocating for swift passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, applauded Congress' movement towards ratification, Nov 15, 2019

USMCA Endgame 2019- Dr. Christopher Sands, Center for Strategic & International Studies, August 1, 2019

PNWER applauds the announcement on May 17, 2019 lifting steel and aluminium 
tariffs on Canada and Mexico and associated retaliatory tariffs. This is a critical step in moving forward with finalizing USMCA - Read Joint Statement  here
​

White House releases statement: WTAS: Support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, June 20, 2019

​Pass USMCA Coalition participates in U.S. Chamber of Commerce event: Why USMCA is good for the innovative economies of North America- Press Release, May 23, 2019
Watch the entire event HERE.

Idaho Governor Brad Little calls for Congress to ratify USMCA and the Administration to repeal tariffs- Press release from Idaho Office of the Governor, March 25, 2019

Washington state has much at stake in trade deal with Canada, Mexico- Lori Otto Punke, WA Council on International Trade (WCIT)
The Seattle Times, March 24, 2019

It is critical we support and preserve NAFTA- Lori Otto Punke, WA Council on International Trade (WCIT)
Puget Sound Business Journal, September 15, 2017

USTR Fact Sheets on Impact of USMCA:
Alaska
Idaho         
Montana         
Oregon          
Washington


State Trade Fact Sheets:
Government of Canada

Click HERE to view fact sheets.

"Tariffs Hurt the Heartland" State Impact Reports:
Alaska
Idaho
Montana
Oregon
Washington
PNWER Trade Stats
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2017 U.S.-Canada Trade Stats Presentation

GDP and Trade Stats by State:
Alaska
Idaho
Montana
Oregon
Washington
Useful Links
WTAS: Support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement- White House, June 20, 2019

How Mexico’s 2018 Election May Affect Canada and NAFTA Prospects
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Report: NAFTA- Legacy of Growth, Opportunity for Growth

House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Dave Reichert (R-WA) and more than 100 Republicans Urge President Trump To Avoid Broad Tariffs
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CRS: Potential Effects of a U.S. NAFTA Withdrawal: Agricultural Markets
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Oxford Economics: The Cost of Leaving NAFTA
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Senate Republicans call on Trump to preserve NAFTA, The Hill
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PNWER JOINS the PASS USMCA COALITION

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Since the USMCA was signed by the leaders of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in November of 2018, PNWER has supported the trade deal as an important part of the U.S.-Canada relationship. PNWER has sent letters to and met with members of Congress to encourage them to ratify USMCA while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong trade relationship with our closest neighbors.

PNWER recently joined the USMCA Coalition which is "a group of U.S. companies and associations working to secure congressional approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement." To learn more, visit the USMCA Coalition website.

Events:
Pass USMCA Coalition participates in U.S. Chamber of Commerce event: Why USMCA is good for the innovative economies of North America- Press Release, May 23, 2019

Watch the entire event HERE.

PNWER Submissions to Federal Governments

Submission to U.S. Federal Government
PNWER Written Statement to the USTR
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NAFTA Survey Executive Summary
NAFTA Survey Data

Submission to Canadian Federal Government
PNWER Submission to Parliament Standing Committee on International Trade
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Email: info@pnwer.org
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