United States Vice President Mike Pence addressed more than 1,400 Manitowoc employees at an event hosted by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The Vice President called on Congress to ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and highlighted how the new trade deal will add $68 billion to the U.S. economy and create over 176,000 jobs.
“The time has come for Congress to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement,” said the Honorable Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States. “This agreement is a good deal for Pennsylvania, it’s a good deal for American workers and American agriculture. And we’ve got to get it done and we’ve got to get it done this year. In fact, I’ve been traveling all across the country telling the story of the USMCA and the difference that it’s going to make, not only in manufacturing, but literally in industries all across this country. The truth is, under the USMCA this President says the American worker is going to win like never before.”
The USMCA is the trilateral free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada that will secure duty-free market access for U.S. equipment manufacturers to the industry’s two largest export markets. The event was held at Manitowoc’s manufacturing facility in Shady Grove, PA, and streamed live to tens of thousands of viewers across the country.
Equipment manufacturers support more than 47,000 jobs in Pennsylvania and 1.5 million jobs across the U.S. and Canada.
“If you support U.S. manufacturing, then you must support the USMCA,” said Dennis Slater, President of AEM. “The USMCA secures duty-free market access to Canada and Mexico, our industry’s two largest export markets. With the USMCA, we will be able to keep North American manufacturing competitive for years to come. President Trump and Vice President Pence have kept their promise, now it is time for Congress to deliver for the American worker. We urge both Republicans and Democrats to work together to get this done.”
“The USMCA will make sure equipment manufacturers such as Manitowoc are better positioned to compete and win in the global economy,” said Barry Pennypacker, President and CEO of Manitowoc. “Congress should do their job and pass the USMCA so that we can do what we do best – make world-class cranes right here in Shady Grove, PA.”
The USMCA opens Canada’s market to more U.S. agricultural exports, establishes rules for e-commerce allowing manufacturers and customers to better share data, and strengthens labor and environmental protections. The USMCA will also help small businesses by updating customs and trade rules that will cut red tape and make it easier to participate in cross-border trade with Canadian and Mexican customers.
According to the Business Roundtable, there are 12 million U.S. jobs across the country that are supported by trade with Canada and Mexico. A study by the United States International Trade Commission shows the USMCA would create an additional 176,000 U.S. jobs and add $68 billion to the U.S. economy.
