Senators Stand for the Climate in Opposing USMCA

WASHINGTON – Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he voted against the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement today on the grounds that it doesn’t combat dangerous climate change.

Trade leads to greater industrial activity and transportation, which – left unchecked – means more carbon emissions. NRDC opposed this trade pact because it failed to account for those emissions.

The following is a statement from Jake Schmidt, managing director of the International Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“The opposition from congressional leaders such as Sen. Schumer demonstrates that a new standard has now been set: Any new trade agreement must address the preeminent issue of the 21^st century, climate change.”

“The USMCA was a missed opportunity to strengthen international climate commitments. Now we know it won’t be a model for future trade deals. The next trade pact must ensure that international commerce progresses alongside climate protection.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​