Texas Border Business
Washington, D.C.— Congressmen Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Kevin Brady (TX-8) visited Mexico City to meet with Mexican officials, including Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Jesus Seade Secretary of Labor Maria Luisa Alcalde Luján, and Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Luz Maria de la Mora to discuss the progress of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The trilateral trade agreement, which leaders from the U.S., Mexico and Canada signed in November 2018, must now be ratified by the legislative branches of all three countries. Mexico’s legislature was the first country to pass the agreement in June 2019.
Passing the USMCA is critical for Texas’ economy. Texas exports more goods to Mexico than any other state in the U.S. Over 950,000 Texas jobs are supported by trade with Mexico and Canada. In 2018, Texas exported $137 billion worth of products to our North American partners, accounting for 43 percent of Texas’ total exports to the world.
“I am committed to strengthening our trade partnership with Mexico and ratifying the trilateral trade agreement in Congress. I have witnessed first-hand how free trade has transformed our domestic economy,”” said Congressman Cuellar. “Every day, $1.7 billion in trade and investment crosses the American border, and in 2018, trade between the U.S. and Mexico exceeded $611.5 billion. Now, we must build on our current trade partnerships to bolster our leadership abroad and support American businesses, workers, and consumers at home.
“I would like to thank Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary Maria Luisa Alcalde Luján, and Undersecretaries Jesus Seade and Luz Maria de la Mora for their commitment to strengthening our trade relationship. I also want to thank Congressman Brady for working with me to advance this bipartisan trade agreement in Congress. Our nations will grow even stronger and more prosperous together when we pass the USMCA.”
Increasing Partnership with Mexico
Congressman Cuellar has been a long-time champion in bolstering the relationship between the United States and its southern neighbor, Mexico. His support for increased trade has been one of his top priorities as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressman was appointed to Chair the United States-Mexico Interparliamentary Group (IPG) for the 116th Congress by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The IPG is the official discussion mechanism between the United States Congress and the Mexican government. As a member of this group, Congressman Cuellar hopes to build and improve upon the current relationship between the U.S. and Mexico governments.
The Congressman has been a strong advocate in promoting economic cooperation between the United States and Mexico in the 116th Congress. Congressman Cuellar introduced the United States-Mexico Economic Partnership Act, which will strengthen professional development and economic growth in the energy, health, entrepreneurship, and education sectors. The Congressman also co-sponsored the United States-Mexico Tourism Improvement Act, which will help benefit the tourism industries in both countries.
 and Kevin Brady (TX-8) visited Mexico City to meet with Mexican officials, including Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Jesus Seade Secretary of Labor Maria Luisa Alcalde Luján, and Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Luz Maria de la Mora to discuss the progress of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).){kind=link}