WASHINGTON, DC — Executives from electronics companies across the US are here this week to endorse the proposed US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) and call on the Trump Administration and Congress to support policies that will drive advanced manufacturing.

IPC is hosting its annual US advocacy event, Impact Washington, DC.

In a newly released report, commissioned by IPC and written by economist Shawn DuBravac, the group says it believes the USMCA is a positive step for the electronics sector and should be approved by the US Congress this year.

“Many of our members have deep investments and thousands of employees in the United States, Mexico and Canada,” said IPC president and CEO John Mitchell. “Building a stronger US electronics industry will depend in no small measure on building a stronger North American supply chain. That, in turn, will improve the region’s stature as a bastion of strength, stability, and jobs creation in an uncertain world.”

The report notes the total value of US electronics trade with Canada and Mexico was $155.5 billion in 2017. Electronics exports are 31% of all US exports of manufactured goods, natural resources and energy to Mexico, and 18% of all US exports of manufactured goods, natural resources and energy exports to Canada.

Several provisions of USMCA would benefit the industry, says IPC, including the inclusion of chapters on small and medium-sized enterprises, digital services, and IP protection. On the other hand, IPC is concerned about the sunset clause and proposed changes in regional content requirements for automobiles, both of which create uncertainties.

IPC member-company executives are meeting today with Daniel Watson, the deputy assistant US trade representative for North America and one of the chief negotiators for the USMCA, to express the industry’s support. The group will meet tomorrow with senior staff of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, both of which oversee trade policy. 

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