Trade
In today’s competitive global society, having a positive partnership with our neighbors is imperative. Congressman Gonzalez believes that a close relationship with Mexico and Canada is the bedrock of a healthy, prosperous economy.
In 1994, The United States, Canada, and Mexico entered a trilateral trade accord called the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The bloc was intended to increase trade and investment between the three countries by eliminating tariffs and other barriers. NAFTA helped to foster economic growth within the continent and Mexico and Canada became our nation’s top two export countries.
Texas lies at the center of the trade agreement, geographically and commercially. NAFTA allowed for over two decades of growth for South Texas businesses and communities, and expanded markets for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers. The trade deal helped to vitalize connections between the partner countries, and spurred economic development in South Texas, and across the nation.
Congressman Gonzalez recognizes the significance of NAFTA and the role it has played in bolstering the American and Texas economies. Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement. After over twenty years, the North American Free Trade Agreement needed to be updated to reflect the current needs and objectives of the millions of Americans whose jobs and businesses depend on the critical trilateral trade pact. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was signed by the partner countries on November 30, 2018 as a successor to NAFTA.
Since taking office in the 115th Congress, Congressman Gonzalez has been at the forefront of protecting and improving American trade relationships. In 2017, Congressman Gonzalez and other members of Congress met with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to discuss the modernization of NAFTA and the importance of cross-border trade for the region.
U.S. alliances with neighbors to the north and south is paramount to the 15th District of Texas and must remain a top priority. Congressman Gonzalez has already begun cultivating a strong relationship with incoming Mexican officials. Earlier this year, during a bipartisan congressional delegation to Mexico and Guatemala, Congressman Gonzalez met with Mexican President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Chief of Staff and Cabinet members to discuss, among other things, the significance of cross-border trade.
Congressman Gonzalez will continue to approach any impending trade agreements with cautious optimism to ensure that jobs, business, and trade opportunities in Central and South Texas remain stronger than ever.
More on Trade
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Donald Trump to raise awareness about Mexico’s efforts to undermine the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and substantial U.S. investments in energy infrastructure on both sides of the border. It has been widely reported that the Mexican government is giving preferential regulatory treatment to Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) to the detriment of U.S. operators.
MCALLEN, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued a statement following the Trump administration’s decision to close the U.S.-Mexico border to non-essential travel:
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued a statement following President Trump’s signing of the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement implementing legislation:
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) published an editorial in The Monitor regarding the passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement implementing legislation in the U.S. Senate. In the opinion piece, Congressman Gonzalez states his disappointment in the trade agreement as it does not contain a firm commitment from Mexico to address the rising tide of violence in Mexico that is affecting cross-border trade and tourism. He also calls on the government of Mexico to revisit the issue of violence.
As we begin a new decade, I was struck by the recent news of an American family that was returning to the United States from their vacation in Mexico who were violently and deliberately gunned down on a Mexican highway along the U.S. – Mexico border resulting in the death of a 13 year old child. To add to the tragedy, on the evening of Monday, December 23, just days before Christmas, a U.S. citizen was murdered in his vehicle while waiting to cross the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge.
In his speech, Congressman Gonzalez emphasized that violence in Mexico will undoubtedly pose a threat to America’s economics interests in the long-term.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted in favor of H.R. 5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act. The USMCA will set the highest standard for enforcement in any U.S. trade agreement and provide much-needed certainty for farmers, ranchers, and businesses in the 15th District of Texas.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the rising violence and insecurity in Mexico.
In his speech, Congressman Gonzalez emphasized that violence in Mexico will undoubtedly pose a threat to America’s economic interests in the long-term.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued a statement following the announcement that House negotiators reached a deal on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Filemon Vela (TX-34) sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressing their grave concern about transnational criminal organizations’ continued interference in the flow of cross border commerce and tourism. The members requested the Speaker’s assistance to secure a firm commitment from the Mexican government to guarantee the protection of highways between the United States and Mexico used for trade and tourism.