Smith Statement on Reported USTR Efforts to Renegotiate Trade Agreements

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after it was reported the Office of the United States Trade Representative is attempting to renegotiate provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement without consulting Congress or American industry stakeholders.

"I am extremely troubled by reports the lame duck Biden-Harris administration is attempting to bypass Congress to alter USMCA and the U.S.-Colombia agreement. President Biden and Ambassador Tai have wasted the past four years by slow-walking or forgoing any opportunity to fight for American producers and consumers, and there is no reason to trust any last-ditch trade actions will demonstrate any regard for congressional intent. I strongly urge USTR to gather and consider stakeholder input and consult Congress on any negotiations related to these agreements and respond to the letter I sent with nine of my colleagues three months ago in a fashion which holds Mexico accountable to its USMCA obligations."

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