North American Railroads Call for USMCA Ratification

Written by Andrew Corselli
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“This CRISI grant will pay dividends beyond Chicagoland to customers and families across the country,” said Ian Jefferies, President and CEO, AAR.

Ian Jefferies, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, joined with Marc Brazeau, President and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), and Iker de Luisa Plazas, Director General, Asociación Mexicana de Ferrocarriles (AMF), in calling for quick ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The letter from the three rail organization leaders cited the benefits the trade pact would have for the integrated North American freight rail network.

Full text of the letter sent to leadership in the U.S. Congress, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Mexican Undersecretary to North America Jesus Seade is below:

December 18, 2019

ATTN: Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Undersecretary Jesus Seade

RE: U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Ratification

We write in support of ratification of the USMCA, which our nations’ leaders negotiated to strengthen trade across the continent. This modernized agreement builds upon two decades of success under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and its implementation will spur economic growth in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

We urge policymakers in Canada and the United States to work diligently towards ratifying the agreement so that it may enter into force as soon as possible.

The integrated North American freight rail network, which plays a critical role in transporting goods across the continent, embodies the benefits of free trade without the burden of tariffs. Economic growth tied to North American trade has fostered additional, mutually beneficial outcomes for businesses across our countries, opening new markets and increasing prosperity. Between 1993 and 2018, North American Gross Domestic Product increased by more than 195%, from US$8.0 trillion to US$23.4 trillion.

As our industry serves much of this cross-border traffic, this economic growth has in turn allowed railways to invest billions of dollars into their infrastructure while improving productivity and customer service and fostering innovation. We will only grow stronger in the future by fortifying our relationships as top trading partners.

Signed,

  • Mr. Ian Jefferies, President & Chief Executive Officer, Association of American Railroads
  • Mr. Marc Brazeau, President & Chief Executive Officer, Railway Association of Canada
  • Mr. Iker de Luisa Plazas, Director General, Asociación Mexicana de Ferrocarriles
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