Washington Business Fall 2019 | Washington Business | Page 29

federal focus
what’s in usmca
The USMCA levels the playing field for U.S. manufacturers by raising standards, improving transparency,
ending anti-U.S. discrimination from foreign governments, and supporting the 2 million American
manufacturing jobs and 43,000 small- and medium-sized businesses that rely on trade with Mexico
and Canada. Canada and Mexico purchased nearly one-fifth of Washington’s total global manufacturing
exports in 2018. A ratified USMCA will provide Washington state manufacturers opportunities to grow
and maintain global prominence.
agreement highlights include:
• Creating a more level playing field for American workers, including improved rules of origin for
automobiles, trucks, other products, and disciplines on currency manipulation.
• Benefiting American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses by modernizing and strengthening food
and agriculture trade in North America.
• U.S. dairy and poultry producers will have increased access to new markets and pricing restrictions
removed.
• Supporting a 21st Century economy through new protections for U.S. intellectual property and
ensuring opportunities for trade in U.S. services.
• New chapters covering digital trade, anticorruption and good regulatory practices, as well as a
chapter devoted to ensuring that small- and medium-sized enterprises benefit from the agreement.
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