Buchanan Joins President Trump at White House Bill Signing

Congressman Vern Buchanan, the top Republican on the Trade Subcommittee in the U.S. House, joined President Trump at a White House ceremony today for the signing of a new trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada (USMCA).

"International trade is critical to my home state of Florida, where exports and imports support 2.3 million jobs," Buchanan said. "Leveling the playing field for Florida and the rest of the nation, as well as increasing access to foreign markets is critical to growing the U.S. economy and creating good-paying jobs."

Last November, leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico signed the retooled trilateral trade deal to replace the current North American Free Trade Agreement. Once implemented, the revised deal is expected to increase market access in Mexico and Canada for U.S. goods and services and create a more level playing field for American workers, farmers, and manufacturers.

The Congressman called trade a "driving force for our nation's small businesses" and cited a study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which found that 98 percent of the 300,000 American companies that export are small and medium-sized businesses.

"Passage of the USMCA will help strengthen Florida's position as a global leader on international trade and increase our ability to grow and create jobs," said David Hart, executive vice president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "We applaud Congressman Buchanan for his leadership on this important issue and helping to deliver a big win for Florida and the rest of the country."

Buchanan played a key role in building support for the new trade agreement in Congress and worked closely with the White House and U.S. Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer to secure a commitment to help Florida's specialty crop farmers.

The president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Mike Joyner, said he was "very pleased" at the "formal commitment from the administration to work with our industry to combat Mexico's unfair trade practices to help level the playing field for Florida."

Joyner added, "This commitment would not have been possible without Congressman Buchanan's tireless efforts on behalf of Florida farmers over the past six months. We look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Buchanan and the administration and remain optimistic about resolving our industry's concerns in an effective, timely manner."

The economic benefits of trade are well documented, with international trade supporting more than 41 million American jobs. International trade agreements create a huge opportunity to help grow the American economy by easing barriers and opening up foreign markets to U.S. goods and services.

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