Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) voted in favor of ratifying the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement, a replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

“After more than a year of waiting on House Democrats to bring this trade agreement to the floor, we’ve finally voted and ratified the USMCA,” Waltz said. “This trade deal will open up our job market and help our already on-fire economy continue to thrive.”

On Nov. 30, 2018, U.S., Mexican and Canadian leaders signed the USMCA, which requires approval by each nation’s legislature to go into effect. Both Mexico and Canada ratified the agreement earlier this year.

Florida largely stands to benefit from the ratification of the USMCA. Trade with Mexico and Canada is a $12 billion industry in Florida, supporting more than 700,000 jobs in the Sunshine State. International trade supports nearly 2.4 million jobs in Florida – more than one in five jobs statewide.

“Thank you to President Trump for negotiating this 21st-century trade deal and to my colleagues for supporting it,” Waltz said. “I’m proud to vote in favor of the USMCA for the sake of more than 175,000 jobs and nearly $68 billion economic growth nationwide. While there is still work to be done to assist Florida’s growers with trade cases involving seasonal and perishable produce, I am confident that the Administration will work with the delegation and our growers in good faith.”