Border & Trade
In today's competitive global society having a positive, working partnership with our neighbors is imperative. Since being elected to serve in the 115th Congress, Congressman Gonzalez has been at the forefront of protecting and improving American trade relationships. Congressman Gonzalez believes that a close relationship with Mexico and Canada is the bedrock of a healthy, prosperous North American economy.
In 1994, The United States, Canada, and Mexico entered the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a trilateral trade accord, to increase trade and investment between the three countries by limiting tariffs and reducing trade barriers.
NAFTA spurred economic development in South Texas and expanded markets for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers. In 2017, Congressman Gonzalez and other members of Congress met with now former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to discuss the modernization of NAFTA and the importance of cross-border trade for the region.
After over twenty years, NAFTA required updates to reflect the current needs and objectives of the millions of Americans whose jobs and businesses depend on the critical trilateral trade pact. On November 30, 2018, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was signed by the partner countries as a successor to NAFTA. Congressman Gonzalez is committed to enforcing the USCMA and its critical components such as intellectual property rights, labor agreements, and free trade standards. Ensuring partnering countries are compliant with trade agreements is critical to the success of the 34th District of Texas.
Congressman Gonzalez will continue to approach any impending trade agreements with cautious optimism to protect and grow jobs, businesses, and trade opportunities in South Texas.