A rare, bipartisan achievement was reached on Wednesday, January 29th when President Donald Trump signed into law a revamped trade deal with Canada and Mexico. When signing, Trump described the agreement as a “colossal victory” for farmers, workers, and manufacturers. The trade deal updates the quarter-century-old NAFTA, with stronger protections for workers and the digital economy and new rules to encourage auto manufacturing in North America. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the agreement by an overwhelming 385-41 vote in December and the Senate followed suit with an 89-10 vote earlier this month. The agreement dictates that a higher percentage of automobiles be made from parts manufactured in North America and requires that at least 40% of vehicle production be done by workers earning at least $16 per hour. The deal also guarantees U.S. farmers greater access to Canada’s agriculture market and puts new e-commerce rules in place. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos said she’s glad to see the agreement signed into law. “In my Congressional District, I represent more than 9,600 family farms and 90,000 labor households,” Bustos said on the House floor in December. “Trade is one of the top issues people back home bring up to me. The message they deliver is loud and clear: We need a strong trade deal with broad-based support to help both America’s farmers and our labor community. I am proud to say the United States (Canada) Mexico Trade Agreement is that deal.”
