Walmart backs adoption of new U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has gained another prominent supporter from the retail sector.

Discount giant Walmart is publicly asking Congress to approve the USMCA. The agreement is designed to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was ratified in 1994 and eases the exchange of goods and services among the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

In a statement on its corporate website, Walmart explained its position on USMCA, citing a positive impact on jobs, customers, and e-commerce.

“Walmart supports the and urges swift congressional passage of the agreement,” the company said. “North America is core to Walmart’s operations as a global company with more than 2,800 Walmart retail units in Mexico and Canada, supporting nearly 430,000 jobs, in addition to more than 5,000 U.S. stores and clubs and 1.5 million U.S. jobs. Walmart and our customers will benefit from the free flow of goods and services under the USMCA. In addition, new commitments on digital trade and trade facilitation will enable us to take advantage of an integrated e-commerce marketplace in North America.”

In July 2019, the National Retail Federation (NRF) formally asked Congress to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in a letter signed by David French, senior VP, government relations of NRF.