Guest ContributorMore than two dozen Arizona chambers of commerce have joined a massive coalition of over 500 business and agriculture groups nationwide in a letter urging the Trump administration to preserve the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The letter, sent December 1 to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, comes as the three North American nations prepare for the agreement’s “joint review,” a critical stipulation of the trade deal scheduled for 2026 that could determine the pact’s long-term survival.
While acknowledging that certain compliance issues require remediation, the coalition emphasized that USMCA remains “critical to our economic future” by guaranteeing tariff-free access to the two markets that buy more made-in-America manufactured goods than the next 12 largest export markets combined.
Arizona’s trade ties
For Arizona, the stakes of the USMCA review are disproportionately high. The state’s economy is deeply integrated with its North American neighbors, particularly Mexico, which consistently ranks as Arizona’s top trading partner.
“Not only does USMCA help solidify North America’s economic power, but it should also serve as an example globally of how tariff-free trade can contribute to economic growth,” said Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “Arizona benefits from predictable, rules-based, tariff-free trade. We should be doing all we can to live up to the letter and spirit of USMCA.”
Recent data underscores the vitality of these trade relationships. In 2024, Arizona exports to Mexico reached approximately $9.0 billion, accounting for over a quarter of the state’s total exports to the world. Meanwhile, Canada remains Arizona’s second-largest export destination, purchasing roughly $3.0 billion in Arizona goods annually.
The coalition letter notes that nationwide, more than 13 million American jobs depend on trade with Canada and Mexico. In Arizona, these trade flows support sectors ranging from aerospace and electronics to fresh produce and mining.
Chambers across state supportive of USMCA
The letter to Ambassador Greer featured a strong showing communities both urban and rural. In addition to the Arizona Chamber, signatories included the Greater Phoenix Chamber, Chamber of Southern Arizona, Tucson Metro Chamber, and the West Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance.
Rural and regional representation was also significant, with signatures from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, which is located at the heart of the fresh produce trade corridor, as well as chambers from Yuma County, Lake Havasu, the Bullhead Area, Kingman, and Flagstaff.
Preparing for 2026 review
The upcoming “joint review” is a unique feature of the USMCA. The three nations must confirm in writing whether they wish to extend the agreement. If one party objects, it could trigger a period of annual reviews and create uncertainty for businesses that rely on long-term planning.
The coalition argues that the agreement is vital for small and medium-sized businesses, noting that more than 100,000 such U.S. businesses sell their goods and services to Canada and Mexico.
“The case for maintaining this agreement is strong,” the letter states. “We look forward to working closely with you to preserve these benefits over the course of the joint review.”
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