Arizona congressman says Trump’s tariffs, threats complicate trade deal with Mexico, Canada

Arizona U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton said President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats are complicating the nation’s trade pact with Mexico and Canada.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is a three-way trade agreement among the U.S., Mexico and Canada that went into effect July 1, 2020. It doesn’t cover tariffs.

Stanton called the USMCA “arguably the No. 1 achievement” of Trump’s first term.

“But here’s the real problem: The president, since he’s joined his second term, has decided to slap massive tariffs on Mexico, Canada, our European partners, our Asian partners — kind of sticking a fork in their eyes,” the East Valley Democrat told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday.

USMCA is subject to review

The USMCA is the first U.S. trade agreement to include a mandatory review and term extension provision. That means it will expire after 16 years if all three member nations can’t agree to extend it.

The first joint review begins July 1, although talks between U.S. and Mexican trade officials started last week.

If the parties fail to approve a second 16-year term during the initial review, they will have to hold joint reviews every year until they do.

Stanton is concerned that Trump’s actions and words will impede efforts to adjust and extend the trade agreement.

“He’s been very insulting to Canada, referring to it as the 51st state. He’s literally threatened to bomb the cartels in Mexico without the consent or partnership of the Mexican government,” Stanton said.

“We need to fight those cartels, but we need to do it with the Mexican government, not do it unilaterally. He’s taking steps to make it as difficult as possible to modernize this USMCA.”

U.S.-Mexico Congressional Caucus created to address trade issues

With the review deadline approaching, Stanton and 10 other House members recently formed the bipartisan U.S.-Mexico Congressional Caucus. U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, a southern Arizona Republican, is part of the group.

Stanton said a U.S.-Canada caucus already exists.

“It’s important that we have a U.S.-Mexico caucus because, as of right now, Mexico is the number one trading partner for the United States of America. So, we need to grow that relationship, respect that relationship and build a stronger regional economy together,” he said.

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