In the News

With work to finalize the new trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico still incomplete, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal is leading a delegation of federal lawmakers to Ottawa to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland on Wednesday.

Neal’s office said the Springfield Democrat “intends to raise issues related to how the United States, Canada, and Mexico can work together to ensure that a truly improved NAFTA will serve the interests of North American workers, our shared environment, the health of our people, and the competitiveness of our economies.”

In October, Neal met with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in Mexico City to discuss the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Joining Neal in Canada on Wednesday are Georgia Republican Rep. Drew Ferguson, Washington Democrat Rep. Suzan DelBene and Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Brendan Boyle.

The USMCA was signed by President Donald Trump, former Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Nov. 30, 2018, but it must still be ratified by the legislature of each country.

Gov. Charlie Baker has been calling for ratification of the deal. Massachusetts and Canada did $10.3 billion in bilateral trade in 2018, including the exportation of machinery, aircraft engines and medical equipment that supports more than 200 Canadian-owned companies in Massachusetts and 20,000 direct jobs, Baker reminded Congressional leaders in a May letter.

“Completion of this fair, flexible trade agreement with our closest trading partners is vital, not only because free trade and strong relationships with neighboring allies are critical for peace and state economic prosperity, but it is critically important for our economy and Massachusetts jobs,” Baker wrote.

At 8 a.m. Thursday, Neal is scheduled to address area business leaders at a New England Council breakfast at the Seaport Hotel in Boston.