WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today continued his NAFTA4AZ initiative by sharing the personal stories of Arizonans whose lives have been positively impacted by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Flake’s delivered the remarks following the recent release of the administration’s NAFTA renegotiation objectives.

“NAFTA4AZ has put on paper what Arizonans already know: NAFTA plays a critical role in supporting jobs, opportunity, and economic growth," said Flake. "NAFTA4AZ submissions, as well as comments submitted to USTR from Arizona stakeholders share one common plea: ‘do no harm’ to the trilateral structure and reciprocal market access of NAFTA,” said Flake.

Flake launched NAFTA4AZ to ensure make sure the voices of Arizonans are heard during the NAFTA modernization process. For more information on the initiative and to view responses from Arizonans, click here.

Video of Flake’s remarks can be viewed here.

A transcript of the prepared remarks can be viewed below.

Background:

• On July 17, 2017, Flake issued a statement on NAFTA renegotiation objectives. To view the statement, click here.
• On May 31, 2017, Flake announced the launch of NAFTA4AZ. To view Flake’s video announcement, click here.
• On May 15, 2017, Flake and Sen. Deb. Fischer (R-Neb.) led a letter from 18 senators to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer stressing the positive economic impact of NAFTA. To view the full text of the letter, click here.
• On April 27, 2017, Flake spoke on the Senate floor outlining the economic benefits of NAFTA for businesses and consumers. To view the speech, click here.
• On Jan. 31, 2017, Flake, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), and Arizona Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Glenn Hammer wrote an op-ed for the Arizona Republic on the economic benefits of NAFTA. To read the op-ed, click here.

***

It has been two months since Ambassador Lighthizer notified Congress of the administration’s intent to enter into negotiations with Mexico and Canada on the North American Free Trade Agreement. During that time, I launched NAFTA4AZ, an initiative to allow every day Arizonans to share their stories about how NAFTA has changed their lives for the better.

I’ve heard from Arizonans across the state working in a multitude of industries from dairy farmers to call center employees, and the responses have been overwhelmingly positive. 

For example, Matt Mandel who serves as Chief Operating Officer for Sun Fed, a company based in Rio Rico shared his personal story. Matt said, “Fresh produce trade has kept my family working here in the state of Arizona for three generations. Arizona imports over 17 billion pounds of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables. Bilateral trade between the United States and Mexico representing over 40 billion dollars. Let’s modernize NAFTA.” 

Mignonne Hollis with the Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation tweeted that “NAFTA and our trade partners in Mexico have allowed us to grow the aerospace industry in Southern Arizona, which is key to our economic development.”

Dairy farmer Jim Boyle notes, “Most of our customers are local right here in our state, but our biggest customer outside of Arizona is Mexico. We ship daily loads of cheese, powder, and tank loads of cream all the way through Mexico. Please let’s keep NAFTA working for the American farmer.” 

Other comments I received through my website included statements like, “I have enjoyed a constant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables in these years of NAFTA.  I have also noticed…how relatively inexpensive many household items have been since.” And, “We supply parts that cross the border multiple times before they reach final assembly in the US.  Free trade is vital to our success and the success of our customers who not only get us where we need to go, but protect our shores and vital interests.” 

It is hardly surprising to hear such overwhelmingly positive support for NAFTA considering the benefits it has had on Arizona’s economy.

NAFTA4AZ has put on paper what Arizonans already know: NAFTA plays a critical role in supporting jobs, opportunity, and economic growth. And it has been a great help to hear from people in my state regarding what they’d like to see changed in NAFTA as the administration has worked also to develop negotiating objectives..

NAFTA4AZ submissions, as well as comments submitted to USTR from Arizona stakeholders share one common plea: “do no harm” to the trilateral structure and reciprocal market access of NAFTA.

Earlier this week the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative made public its negotiating objectives for NAFTA. Based on what USTR released, it appears the administration has recognized the importance of this central tenet of NAFTA.

It’s also good news that the administration will seek to modernize NAFTA along the lines of what was accomplished in the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. I think we can all agree that addressing issues of digital trade and intellectual property in an agreement more than twenty years old is key to NAFTA’s continued success. However, these negotiating objectives mark the next step in a long process that will have tremendous impact on Arizona’s economy, for better or for worse. Unfortunately, the path forward for NAFTA remains uncertain and there’s a long road to travel before we get to a place where the U.S., Mexico, and Canada can all agree on an updated NAFTA.

I will review the administration’s objectives closely as I continue to talk to Arizonans about what they need to ensure vibrant cross-border trade. I look forward to continued consultation between Congress and the administration as this process to modernize NAFTA moves forward.

###