WASHINGTON (August 06, 2026) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today joined 75 national, state, and sectoral organizations and 168 Members of Congress in supporting efforts to secure a high-quality extension of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) through the ongoing Joint Review process. In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, signatories emphasized the importance of strengthening North American competitiveness, expanding market access, promoting investment, and supporting American manufacturers, farmers, workers, service providers, and businesses of all sizes.
The coalition letter recognizes the significant benefits USMCA has delivered across North America while urging policymakers to pursue targeted improvements through the review process. Specifically, the letter calls for addressing unmet market access commitments, confronting policies that disadvantage U.S. industries and workers, addressing unfair trade and investment practices, and strengthening regional competitiveness in the global marketplace.
“ACC strongly supports efforts to ensure that USMCA continues to serve as a foundation for economic growth, investment, innovation, and manufacturing competitiveness across North America,” said Jason Bernstein, Director International Trade and Supply Chain. “The Joint Review presents a critical opportunity to strengthen implementation of the agreement and address barriers that undermine the integrated North American market.”
One of the key improvements that can be made in support of these efforts is the establishment of a Working Group to implement the USMCA Annex on Chemical Substances, also known as the Chemical Sectoral Annex. Establishing a Working Group under this Annex would support USMCA implementation and enforcement while advancing the stated objectives of the Joint Review process by addressing unfair trading practices and regulatory barriers that are impacting North American production, jobs, and exports.
Importantly, such a Working Group could be established without reopening or amending the agreement itself. By creating a formal mechanism for engagement among the United States, Mexico, and Canada, governments and stakeholders would be better positioned to advance regulatory cooperation, improve transparency, and strengthen enforcement under the existing framework. ACC has outlined this recommendation in its broader proposal regarding the USMCA Review.
In addition, ACC, the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC), and Mexico's National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ) recently launched two new industry-led workstreams designed to support stronger USMCA implementation and North American competitiveness.
The first workstream is focused on regulatory simplification and trade facilitation, with the goal of reducing duplicative requirements, improving border efficiency, and streamlining regulatory and customs processes across the region. The second workstream addresses structural excess capacity and rules of origin, seeking to strengthen enforcement, improve coordination among governments, and prevent circumvention of agreed-upon trade rules.
Together, these initiatives are intended to generate practical and actionable recommendations that can be implemented within the existing USMCA framework to enhance investment, support innovation, improve supply chain resilience, and reinforce North America's position as the world's most competitive manufacturing region.
“North America's chemical industry is deeply integrated, and a competitive continental market benefits workers, manufacturers, and consumers across all three countries,” said Bernstein. “By strengthening implementation of the Chemical Sectoral Annex and advancing collaborative solutions through these new workstreams, we can help ensure that USMCA continues to deliver for the industries and communities that depend on it.”
The American Chemistry Council looks forward to continuing to work with the Administration, Congress, industry partners, and stakeholders across North America to support a strong and successful USMCA review process that delivers meaningful outcomes and long-term economic benefits.
