[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 21, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S4309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE AGREEMENT
Mr. GRASSLEY. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement entered into force on
July 1, and I am eager to see the modernized agreement deliver on its
promises to spur job growth for American farmers, workers, and
businesses, and even help our innovators. Also, at the same time, it
will create new opportunities with our North American trading partners.
The U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement fixes many problems we had for 30
years under NAFTA, and it also creates several new, modern trade
provisions for our 21st century economy--things that were negotiated
that weren't even thought of 30 years ago when NAFTA was negotiated.
However, even with this agreement going into effect and being a tough
agreement to negotiate, it isn't going to be simple from here on out.
There is plenty of work remaining to ensure the agreement is
implemented fully and properly.
I urge the administration to be expeditious in addressing any
enforcement issues or noncompliance from our trading partners under the
dispute settlement mechanism. I also encourage close consultation
between Congress and the administration so we may continue to be
successful in the U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement implementation efforts--
allowing Americans to reap the benefits of this agreement.
I raised questions with the administration, but I have no doubt that
they are going to be on top of it. I remember President Trump as a
candidate, 2015 to 2016, running on a platform to get rid of NAFTA.
Trump was elected. By May of his first year in office, Trump started
negotiations. They were successful negotiations. NAFTA is now gone. Now
USMCA is going into effect.
Trump delivered on his campaign promise. I have no doubt that he will
see that the U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement is properly implemented.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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