National, Arizona business communities take to airwaves to support USMCA

The country’s largest business advocacy organization and two leading Arizona business groups have launched a television advertising campaign urging passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA.

The ad features U.S. Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and highlights her advocacy to ensure the accord passes.

The ad was produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with assistance from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Arizona Manufacturers Council. AMC Chair Dawn Grove, who serves as corporate counsel for Karsten Manufacturing, also appears in the ad.

The ad launch comes on the heels of a Wednesday speech by McSally on the Senate floor calling the House of Representatives to vote on the USMCA.

“Simply put, USMCA is a win for Arizona,” McSally said. “Trade with Mexico and Canada is key to Arizona jobs and opportunities.”

President Donald Trump signed the USMCA almost a year ago, and McSally said it is critical that Congress gets the deal through for the sake of jobs in Arizona and nationwide.

“Almost 50 percent of all Arizona exports go to Mexico and Canada, and more than 228,000 Arizona jobs rely on this trade,” McSally said. “In 2018, Arizona and Mexico engaged in $16.6 billion worth of cross-border commerce.”

Earlier this month, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said USMCA ratification is getting closer every day.

“We feel very good about being on a path to yes,” Pelosi said in a news conference, according to Reuters. She said Democrats’ main concern is about ensuring the rules are enforced.

McSally said she encourages Democrats to “get to ‘yes’ now” because there are only about two-dozen legislative days remaining in 2019.

“The USMCA is good for our country, and too much time has passed without any House action,” the senator said. “During these divided times, this is a proposal that should bring both sides of the aisle together.”

The U.S. Chamber, the Arizona Chamber and the AMC have been advocating for USMCA’s passage for more than a year.

“Adoption of the USMCA is by far the Arizona Chamber’s top federal priority,” said Arizona Chamber president and CEO Glenn Hamer. “We are thrilled to join with the AMC in assisting the U.S. Chamber in the production of the ad.”

The ad will run on cable, broadcast and digital platforms.

“Having an Arizona business leader like Dawn Grove send our thanks to Sen. Martha McSally for her work on the agreement sends the message of just how important this agreement is for Arizona’s economy,” Hamer said.