Schumer Statement On NAFTA Deal

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today released the following statement regarding the new trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada:

 

“For the new trade agreement to receive a majority support in Congress, - including from members like myself, who have long opposed NAFTA and demanded improvements – it must prove to be a net benefit to middle-class families and working people in our country and must have strong labor and environmental protections, which in the present deal are too weak.

 

“Thankfully, the Congress has a role in crafting ‘implementing legislation’ to make sure the deal benefits and protects middle-class families and working people, and isn’t simply a rebranding of the same old policies that hurt our economy and workers for years. In particular, I am most interested in ensuring that any final agreement protects our dairy farmers and that there is real enforcement of new and tough labor provisions. The deal must also raise wages and should recognize that climate change is a grave threat to our countries’ economies and the health and safety of our citizens.

 

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in both the House and Senate to write implementing legislation in the weeks and months ahead.”