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Governor Phil Scott Encourages Businesses and Stakeholders to ‘make voices heard’ on NAFTA Negotiations

February 4, 2018

Governor Phil Scott sent a letter to Vermont businesses and local economic development leaders encouraging them to write to the U.S. Trade Representative to ask the Trump administration to renew America’s commitment to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

“Vermonters enjoy a close and critical relationship with our Canadian neighbors. In fact, the province of Quebec is Vermont's largest trading partner with $5 billion in trade annually. That's why my administration has made strengthening our relationship with Canada an important economic priority, and we're already seeing results,” Governor Scott wrote in the letter. 

“I have long advocated, along with fellow governors and Canadian premiers, that we should focus on modernizing and strengthening NAFTA, not withdrawing from it,” Gov. Scott continued. “A recent study by the Business Roundtable (enclosed) suggests withdrawing from NAFTA would result in the elimination of over 4,200 Vermont jobs. Additionally, termination of the trade agreement would cause Vermont's economic output to fall by over $200 million. Our communities and employers simply cannot afford these impacts.”

The Governor goes on to ask local officials and business owners to make their voices heard by contacting the U.S. Trade Representative.

“Failing to renew the United States' commitment to NAFTA would undermine our businesses' ability to compete in this increasingly competitive global marketplace,” Gov. Scott said.

Click here to view Gov. Scott’s letter and here to view the Business Roundtable analysis.

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