376,400 jobs. That’s more jobs than there are people in the cities of Wilmington, Asheville, Rocky Mount, Hickory, and Burlington combined. Each one of those 376,400 jobs represents a livelihood, a community or a family. Each job means that someone can pay their bills, pursue their hobbies and enjoy their life here in North Carolina. These jobs are more than just an abstract number—they’re the backbone of our state.

That’s why the NC Chamber is a strong supporter of the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement. Our trade relationships with Mexico and Canada directly support 376,400 NC jobs and have a significant economic impact on our state: North Carolina businesses exported $10 billion worth of goods to Mexico and Canada in 2018.

If ratified, USMCA will preserve our critically important trade relationships with North Carolina’s top two trading partners. In addition to provisions that expand access for trade between our countries and level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers, the USMCA also includes strengthened and modernized intellectual property protections, strong country of origin rules for cars and trucks, strict labor and environmental standards and a 16-year sunset clause. Read more about the deal from the National Association of Manufacturers here.

That’s why we were proud to join with more than 600 other business organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, in calling on the United States Congress to swiftly ratify this agreement. You can read the letter here. Thanks to our friends at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Benson Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Moore County Chamber of Commerce, NC Retail Merchants Association, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, and Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce for lending your voices as well.

We will continue to fight for passage of this critical agreement and will keep you apprised of any updates.

Sincerely,

Gary J. Salamido
Chief Operating Officer and Acting President
NC Chamber