Houston, TX — Bob Mitchell, president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, writes about the importance of NAFTA to Texas’s economy and workers in a recent op-ed in the Houston Chronicle. He urges caution when it comes to “scrapping the deal altogether.”
“Since its inception in 1993, NAFTA has opened new markets and catalyzed enormous economic growth by lowering trade barriers between the U.S., Canada and Mexico,” he said.
“[Texas is] the top exporting state, with nearly half of these exports headed to Mexico or Canada. Withdrawal would also put nearly 1 million Texas jobs at risk.”
NAFTA generates $112 billion in export value for Texas annually, he says, noting that new trade barriers would hurt the Port of Houston as well as logistics partners like freight railroads. Ultimately this would impact companies that rely on flowing supply chains.
“Our powerful ports and extensive freight rail network offer a unique look at the complex and vibrant supply chains fostered by low trade barriers. Everything from oil and gas to aluminum to agricultural products moves by rail in Texas and across borders.”