Groups Submit Thousands of Comments Urging Trade Deal that Supports Jobs and Protects the Environment

WASHINGTON, DC - Today is the final day of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's written public comment period ahead of the required joint review of the trilateral trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, known as the USMCA. Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), League of Conservation Voters (LCV), and Industrious Labs submitted nearly eight thousand comments from supporters, as well as expert comments, supporting revisions to the deal that prioritize strong environmental protections and support for good green jobs.

The USMCA was negotiated in Donald Trump's first term as a revised version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The deal contains provisions requiring the three governments to review the pact after six years. Despite Trump's declarations that the USMCA is "the greatest trade deal ever," the U.S. trade deficit has increased under the USMCA. Environmental organizations opposedto the initial deal predicted this outcome due to the fact the agreement gives companies the greenlight to offshore pollution and jobs.

Ahead of the review period, climate advocacy groups sent a letterto U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer outlining changes to the environmental chapter, and more broadly in the agreement, that would aid in the creation of a sustainable and resilient manufacturing sector by protecting the environment and the health of the public and workers.

Review of USMCA has grown increasingly fraught. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has both called offtalks with Canada and questionedthe merit behind continuing the agreement with Mexico. Despite these setbacks, the U.S. Senate has reaffirmed its supportfor good-faith trade negotiations with Canada.

Sierra Club, NRDC, LCV, and Industrious Labs are calling for North American trade negotiations to include provisions that protect and support people, the environment, and clean jobs.

In response, Sierra Club, NRDC, LCV, and Industrious Labs issued the following statements:

Sierra Club Industrial Transformation Campaign Lead Harry Manin said: "Right now we have an opportunity to craft a trade deal that supports good jobs, clean manufacturing, thriving communities, and a livable climate. To achieve this, we must fix gaps in the original USMCA by raising environmental standards in a way that enforces a race to the top and a level playing field. Sierra Club correctly predicted that corporate polluters would exploit lax rules in USMCA to send jobs and pollution abroad. Luckily, the USMCA includes a review period to improve the deal. Instead of blowing smoke about perceived slights from Canada and Mexico, the Trump Administration should use the review period to correct the problem by incorporating the suggestions that thousands of Americans sent to the U.S. Trade Representative."

League of Conservation Voters Senior Government Affairs Advocate Sara Fontes said: "Trade deals have prioritized Big Polluters and profits over the health and safety of working people, communities, and the environment for decades. Review of the USMCA should help strengthen environmental protections and create clean energy jobs, reverse harmful labor and environmental standards brought about by past trade deals, and ensure that all three countries are playing by the same rules."

Industrious Labs Partner Evan Gillespie said: "America's factories can be leaders in clean manufacturing and good jobs - if our trade rules support it. Updating the USMCA is a chance to put the right standards in place, cut pollution, and help communities thrive. Strong, practical safeguards and fair competition are the keys to building a healthier future for both our workers and our environment."

Natural Resources Defense Council Managing Director of the Global Division Amanda Maxwell said: "This trade agreement has the potential to create a more vibrant North America in which we all can benefit from thriving economies and environments. Yet it cannot do so if it still deprioritizes nature by continuing to allow the three governments--the U.S., Canada, and Mexico--to look the other way when it comes to toxic pollution, illegal fishing, and climate change. This review is the opportunity we need to value and protect our water, air, land and wildlife as much as we value and prioritize business, so that everyone can flourish."

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About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.