Deadline Approaches! PPI Supports Continuation of USMCA to Stabilize North American Industrial Landscape

As the July 1, 2026 deadline for the trilateral review approaches, The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) has once again reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), saying that the trade agreement plays an indispensable role in maintaining the competitiveness of North American manufacturing and advancing infrastructure development.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement was formally signed in July 2020 to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, establishing a balanced, stable, and predictable trade framework for the North American continent. This agreement is now at a critical crossroads: the three countries must decide its future path, choosing either to renew the agreement for 16 years with annual reviews, or to let it expire and cease implementation after July 1, 2036.

PPI President David M. Fink stated in public comments submitted to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR): “We strongly support making the USMCA the cornerstone of balanced, orderly, and stable trade relations among the United States, Mexico, and Canada.”

Positive outcomes of policies benefiting the manufacturing industry

The industry association pointed out that, relying on a solid supply chain system, clear investment guarantees, and long-term industrial development opportunities, the USMCA continues to bring substantial benefits to American manufacturing companies and practitioners.

Fink said that this agreement has laid a solid foundation of confidence for manufacturing enterprises to invest and expand their operations, increase production capacity, and create local jobs. He emphasized that it is essential to maintain the existing trade framework in order to facilitate cross-border investment and comprehensively enhance the overall competitiveness of the region’s industries.

The stable investment environment created by the agreement enables companies to smoothly access the North American market, helping the industry formulate long-term development plans and make capital investments, thereby supporting the steady growth of the infrastructure sector, which is especially crucial for the plastic pipe industry.

Fink added, “The stable business environment created by the USMCA ensures seamless access across the North American market, empowers companies to make long-term plans and capital investments, and safeguards the sustainable development of the infrastructure industry—its importance is self-evident.”

The American Manufacturers Association expresses support.

The National Association of Manufacturers in the United States has also expressed support for the renewal of the agreement. In a recent report, the association noted that the USMCA is a crucial pillar for consolidating the competitive edge of American manufacturing and can be regarded as the most beneficial trade agreement for the sector in U.S. history. At present, U.S. exports to Mexico and Canada support 2 million domestic jobs.

National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons said, “The USMCA has become a powerful force for strengthening American manufacturing, helping more domestically produced goods bear the ‘Made in America’ label.”

As a core industry organization in North America’s plastic piping sector, PPI has consistently advocated for fair trade policies, supported the development of resilient regional supply chains, and continuously promoted infrastructure investment and development across North America.