STAFF REPORTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) joined his colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee for a bipartisan meeting with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss binational collaboration as conversations continue related to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
“We share a series of values with Canada – high wages, rigorous environmental standards, individual freedoms, and a commitment to shared prosperity – trade agreements provide an opportunity to promote these principles,” said Higgins. “Previous trade agreements have failed to adequately protect American workers. New or revised negotiated trade agreements should have standards that are explicit and enforceable with regular rigorous consultation.”
Established in 1994, NAFTA is an arrangement between the United States, Canada & Mexico addressing trade issues between the three nations. In July, the Trump Administration sent Congress a plan to renegotiate NAFTA. During a Ways and Means Committee hearing this summer to discuss the plan, Higgins argued that infrastructure and American jobs should be the primary focus in efforts to re-work NAFTA.
Nearly 9 million jobs in the United States depend on trade and investment with Canada and approximately 400,000 people cross the U.S.-Canada border each day. Congressman Higgins’ district alone exports over $667.6 million in goods to Canada annually.
Congressman Higgins serves as Vice-Ranking Member on the House Committee on Ways and Means, where he also serves as a Member of the Subcommittee on Trade. Brian is a Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus, from which he advocates for federal policies that recognize the unique needs of northern border communities – efforts which serve to strengthen economic and security ties with our Canadian neighbors. Higgins’ Western New York district, which covers the Cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls, includes four international crossings between the U.S. and Canada.
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