LETTER: Trump ‘won big’ for Wisconsin with Mexico-Canada trade deal

To Ozaukee Press:

The USMCA is the best thing to happen to American farmers and American workers in at least a generation. President Trump has really won big for us on this one.

 To comply with the USMCA, automotive companies must make 75% of their car and truck parts in the United States, Mexico or Canada. This is great for our country. Another major provision mandates that by 2023, 40% of all workers making cars in the U.S., Mexico or Canada must be paid at least $16 per hour. Combining these two provisions, the effect will be a huge win for the American worker. These two provisions will not only lead manufacturing companies to open up plants in the U.S., but will also dramatically increase the living standards for many in Mexico, where the average auto worker gets paid a third of that. This will undoubtedly lessen migration to the U.S. from Mexico.

The USMCA also significantly helps Wisconsin dairy farmers by allowing for more dairy exports to Canada, as well as turkey exports, which is a boost for farmers in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka even applauded Trump for the USMCA, saying “President Trump may have opened this deal, but working people closed it.” The USMCA is a win for labor advocates, the
American manufacturing sector, the U.S. economy and, most importantly, Wisconsin farmers, workers and families.

Kathy Broghammer
Mequon