WASHINGTON - Congressmen Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Tom Emmer (MN-06) and Pete Stauber (MN-08) sent a letter today to President Donald Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging expeditious passage for the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA), a trade pact that will expand Minnesota’s economy.
The letter, which Hagedorn invited all U.S. House members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation to sign to express bipartisan support for Minnesota’s workers, farmers, manufacturers and consumers, encourages the President to formally submit the USMCA to the House of Representatives and requests Speaker Pelosi to bring the Agreement to a vote.
The critical importance of the USMCA to Minnesota’s economy is reflected in the letter:
“More than 250,000 Minnesota jobs and $7.2 billion in exports underscore the value of North American trade. Fifty-one percent of Minnesota’s total agriculture and agri-food exports flow to Canada and Mexico. In addition to agriculture, the machinery, manufacturing, medical and mining industries account for the vast majority of Minnesota’s North American exports.”
Hagedorn has been a vocal supporter of the USMCA, emphasizing its importance to Minnesota’s economy, especially agriculture. He said, “American farmers, manufacturers and businesses produce the finest products in the world. The level playing field this Agreement creates will increase employment, create high-paying jobs and help sustain our southern Minnesota way of life. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to approve this Agreement to benefit America’s workers.”
Emmer underscored the importance of this Agreement by saying, “Canada and Mexico have long been important trade partners for the business and agriculture industries in Minnesota’s Sixth District. The USMCA represents a better deal for Minnesotans, and all Americans. Congress should approve this great deal as soon as possible.
Stauber touted the USMCA’s benefit to the constituents of Minnesota’s 8th District: “America’s workers and farmers can compete with anyone in the world so long as there is a level and fair playing field. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in its current form will address longstanding trade imbalances and deliver a win for those working in Minnesota’s mines and factories as well as our farmers and ranchers who want to export more of their products.”
A PDF of the letter is available here.
The text of the letter is below:
Dear President Donald Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
As members of Minnesota’s U.S. House delegation, we write to express our strong support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Passage of USMCA will increase economic growth, expand trade opportunities, and create high-wage jobs.
Enhancing trade with Canada and Mexico is especially critical to the State of Minnesota. More than 250,000 Minnesota jobs and $7.2 billion in exports underscore the value of North American trade. Fifty-one percent of Minnesota’s total agriculture and agri-food exports flow to Canada and Mexico. In addition to agriculture, the machinery, manufacturing, medical, and mining industries account for the vast majority of Minnesota’s North American exports.
We are confident that passage and implementation of USMCA will deliver opportunity and certainty to Minnesota’s farmers, manufacturers, labor force, and consumers.
Mr. President, we encourage your administration to formally submit USMCA to Congress as soon as possible. Speaker Pelosi, we seek expeditious consideration and a vote on the House floor for this important agreement.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jim Hagedorn, Member of Congress
Tom Emmer, Member of Congress
Pete Stauber, Member of Congress
Jim Hagedorn was elected in 2018 to represent Minnesota’s First District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He grew up on his family’s grain and livestock farm near Truman. Jim’s father, former U.S. Congressman Tom Hagedorn (MN-02), grandfather, and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers. Jim currently resides in the rural farming community of Blue Earth. Hagedorn brings policy experience to Capitol Hill from time spent as a congressional aide to former U.S. Congressman Arlan Stangeland (MN-07) and a congressional relations officer for two non-partisan U.S. Department of the Treasury agencies. Hagedorn serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Small Business to promote farming, Main Street enterprises and southern Minnesota’s way of life.
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