55 New York State businesses and organizations sign The Business Council’s Letter in Support of the USMCA
Letter sent to state’s Congressional delegation, U.S. Senators, and President in hopes to speed up approval of the proposed deal
Albany, NY – The Business Council of New York State Inc., on Tuesday, sent a letter to the 27 members of New York State’s Congressional delegation, its two U.S. Senators, Congressional leadership, and the President, in support of the proposed trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico (USMCA).
Based on input from member companies and partnership organizations at the federal level, The Business Council has endorsed the USMCA and is urging timely Congressional approval. Today, that message is supported by other business groups from across New York State.
In recent weeks, The Business Council also met with representatives from the U.S. Trade Representative, and with representatives from the Mexican and Canadian governments, both of whom expressed their interest in having the USMCA passed in the United States.
The letter (below) comes as the agreement is still being discussed and reviewed by lawmakers in Washington, who need to approve the deal. The 54 businesses and organizations who signed on as supporters include regional chambers of commerce, manufacturers, farmers, financial institutions, and others.
In February, The Business Council joined a 200 member national coalition in support of the measure. The Business Council believes the negotiated agreement, meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), achieves its goal of benefiting American workers, manufacturers, farmers, and businesses, particularly in New York State.
The Business Council has various members located in the Norther and Western parts of New York State near the Canadian border. An open trade policy of importing and exporting goods and services with Canada is crucial for them to not only maintain their bottom line but grow and expand their business.
According to statistics from the Executive Office of the President, in 2017 exports to Canada and Mexico totaled $18.5 billion with the bulk of that, $15.4 billion, going to New York’s neighboring country Canada.
July 23, 2019
Dear Members of the New York State Congressional Delegation:
On behalf of the undersigned businesses and organizations, we are writing you to illustrate that the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has broad support from business interests from a wide range of sectors including – manufacturing, agriculture, technology, services and others – from all regions of New York State.
The undersigned organizations represent thousands of New York State employers who provide well over one million in-state jobs. Increasingly, our member companies are engaged in and dependent on foreign trade for their success, exporting finished products to consumer markets, and receiving imported materials and parts.
We are writing to urge members of New York’s Congressional delegation to not only support the USMCA, but to approve it in an expedited fashion so that our members and all of New York State’s businesses can benefit from a friendly and fair-trade agreement.
Many of our members are located within miles of the Canadian border. Their proximity to additional markets makes it possible for businesses to grow and expand. In fact, US Chamber of Commerce statistics show about 800,000 New York State jobs are supported by trade with Canada and Mexico accounting for approximately $22 billion worth of exported services and goods.
An open trade policy with our neighbors to the North and South is critical for employers to provide and maintain jobs for New Yorkers.
Equally as important, this agreement will eliminate some of the stringent and unnecessary barriers our dairy and poultry farmers face when trying to export products to Mexico and Canada. Opening this pipeline even further, by removing unfriendly mandates, will help struggling farmers across New York State.
It is for these reasons specifically we are asking the House and the Senate to approve this trade agreement in an expedited manner. Not approving the proposal or delaying for unwarranted reasons would be the wrong thing to do as Canada and Mexico have already taken steps to make the USMCA a reality. The longer we wait for an agreement the longer businesses and farmers around the state, and the country, are held back from expanding into markets that will not only help them remain stable but possibly help them expand and create more jobs here at home.
Sincerely,
Aldon Corporation
Asher Group
Associated General Contractors of America, NYS Chapter
Brackens Financial Solutions Network, LLC.
Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Capital Region Chamber
Chamber Alliance of New York State
Charles H. Tukeagency, Inc.
Chemung County Chamber of Commerce
Citigroup Inc.
Clarkson University
Computerized Concepts Inc dba Integrated Systems
Cordelle Development Corporation
Cortland County Chamber of Commerce
Council of Industry of Southeastern New York
D-K Manufacturing Corp.
Fingerlakes Electric Supply Co. Inc.
Fox Run Vineyards
Garden City Chamber of Commerce
Genesee County Chamber of Commerce
Genetelli Consulting Group
Giovanni Food Co., Inc.
Goetzmann & Associates LLC
Great Lakes Pressed Steel Corporation
Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce
Henry Restoration Ltd
IBM
International Paper Company
J. Theodore Smith
Jaquith Industries Inc.
Lawley Insurance
Long Island Association
MACNY, The Manufacturers Association
Mason Marketing
Mountain Media
New York Farm Bureau
Northeast Equipment Dealers Association, Inc.
Olin
Optimation Technology, Inc.
Otsego County Chamber
Partnership for New York City
Pleasant Valley Wine Company
Price Chopper Supermarkets/Market 32
Queens Chamber of Commerce
SEKO Logistics
Setterstix Inc.
Southern Tier Municipal & Construction Supply Co.
Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The Business Council of New York State Inc.
The Desmond
The North Country Savings Bank
The VMJR Companies
Twinstate/Voice.Data.Video.Inc.
VIP Payroll and Tax Services
Wm. J. Fagan & Sons, Inc
Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce