Altec CEO Announces Support of USMCA Agreement

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Altec's Chairman and CEO, Lee Styslinger III announced today his endorsement of the amended USMCA agreement and encouraged quick passage by Congress.

Styslinger is a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN) providing policy advice on trade issues to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Trump administration. He and other members of ACTPN have been working closely with Ambassador Robert Lighthizer to help finalize The United States of America, The Mexican States, and Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA).

"Over 12 million American jobs depend on the $1.4 trillion in trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada," said Styslinger. "Implementing USMCA will significantly increase U.S. GDP, increase U.S. employment by a minimum of 176,000 jobs, increase U.S. exports to Canada by $19 billion and increase U.S. exports to Mexico by $14 billion. The agreement will create jobs in the manufacturing sector and greatly benefit American workers, farmers and ranchers. We call on the House to move quickly to finalize USMCA legislation and bring it to a vote as soon as possible."

Styslinger outlined several positive aspects of USMCA:

• Maintains trilateral duty-free trade.
• Modernizes key provisions and open markets more than current NAFTA.
• Overall strengthens intellectual property protections and supports the digital economy.
• Enhances trade facilitation and e-commerce across all three countries.
• Expands services commitments.
• Improves regulatory practices and enhances regulatory transparency.
• Incorporates stronger competition and anti-corruption enterprises.
• Includes important sectoral commitments and standards benefitting energy, telecommunications, financial services, information and communications technology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
• Incorporates stronger and enforceable labor and environment commitments.

Styslinger is a member of the Business Roundtable (BRT), a board member of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and a board member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). In addition, he was a key member of President George W. Bush's Export Council and was responsible for advising the President on government policies and programs that affected U.S. trade performance and export expansion opportunities.

Altec is a leading equipment and service provider for the electric utility, telecommunications, contractor, lights and signs, and tree care markets. The company provides products and services in more than 100 countries throughout the world.

SOURCE Altec