02/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/12/2026 18:21
WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, questioned stakeholders about the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement's (USMCA) benefits to the U.S. economy, including strengthening supply chains against unfair competition from countries like China, ahead of a joint review of the agreement later this year.
Grassley also emphasized the importance of congressional consultations in trade negotiations and asked about dairy access to Canada.
As then-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley played a leading role in shepherding the historic USMCA trade agreement into law.
On the importance of congressional consultation in trade:
Congressman Brady, you and I have worked on stuff like this for a long time, and [we] worked together on USMCA about six years ago.
It seems to me we had great congressional input at that time. It made USMCA stronger, fairer and more stable than it could ever otherwise be.
So, I'd like to have you explain the practical importance of congressional consultation in trade negotiations.
How USMCA strengthens supply chains against unfair competition from China:
In your testimony, you talked about how the USMCA has strengthened the United States and our supply chains against unfair competition, particularly from China.
Could you please explain [how] some of the chapters have protected the United States from unfair practices and the benefits that could result from repeating these chapters in new agreements?
If the United States were to get fair treatment for dairy access under the Trade Rate Quotas, would there be additional issues you'd like to see addressed?
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