In a letter addressed to United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, we expressed strong support for a trilateral USMCA, highlighting the importance of the agreement to economic competitiveness and resilience. The letter emphasizes the importance of ongoing stakeholder consultations throughout the review period.

The groups express their “[…] strong support for extending USMCA and urge USTR’s sustained and meaningful engagement with U.S. business, manufacturing, and agricultural stakeholders throughout the review and until the agreement is renewed for a full 16-year term.”

“As the United States’ largest export markets and primary sources of indispensable inputs, Mexico and Canada are foundational to our economic strength and resilience,” the letter continues. “Maintaining duty-free treatment for USMCA-compliant goods throughout this process is an indispensable prerequisite for North American stability.” 

The CABC and the undersigned associations reinforce their commitment to working with the administration towards a positive outcome, emphasizing the importance of predictability and stability. 

Read the full text here.

About the CABC: Established in 1987, the Council is the leading non-profit, non-partisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors in Canada the US. Members are key business leaders and stakeholders from both sides of the border ranging from entrepreneurs to best name brands in the world. Collectively, CABC members employ about two million people and have annual revenues of close to $1.5 trillion. For more information about the CABC and its leadership team, please visit our Who We Are section.

Michele Austin | President and Managing Director, Motion Picture Association – Canada

Michele Austin is the President and Managing Director at Motion Pictures Association – Canada.

Prior to arriving at the Motion Picture Association – Canada, Michele was Vice President, Public Affairs at Bell Canada. At Bell, she led a team that worked closely with government partners, suppliers, the media, and civil society to advocate for policies and programs that aligned with BCE’s growth strategy. Michele also managed a cross-functional team supporting Indigenous affairs and network impacting security incidents.

Michele’s previous experience includes working as Director of Public Policy for the United States and Canada at Twitter, as a Senior Advisor at Summa Strategies, and as Chief of Staff in four federal departments (Industry Canada, Public Works & Government Services, Shared Services Canada and Status of Women). Michele was the first female Chief of the Industry Canada department.

Michele has over 25 years of executive-level experience in both the public and private sectors. Over her career, she has been recognized by the Hill Times publication as one of Canada’s top 100 lobbyists as well as a “Terrific 25” Parliament Hill staffer. She has also served on multiple boards and committees including the Canadian Telecommunications Association and the Canadian Marketing Association.

Jamie Wall | Vice President and Head of Washington Office, ExxonMobil

Jamie Wall is Head of the Washington office at ExxonMobil where she leads policy and advocacy in the U.S. and Canada. She also leads ExxonMobil’s engagements with the United Nations and leads ExxonMobil’s political activities.

Previously, Ms. Wall was Executive Vice President, Advocacy at the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) serving as the trade association’s senior government affairs officer and was responsible for leading all advocacy efforts. Prior to SIFMA, Ms. Wall held various roles at Subject Matter and Honeywell. She also worked on Capitol Hill, serving Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), a member of Senate leadership, and Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO), as well as in state government for former Governor Matt Blunt (R-MO).

“We are excited to welcome Michele and Jamie to our Board of Directors. They bring a wealth of experience that will help continue to guide the CABC’s work,” said Beth Burke, CEO of the CABC.

“Michele and Jamie will be valuable assets to driving cross-border dialogue, partnerships and innovation. They each bring unique expertise that will drive forward the bilateral partnership,” added Tom Gannon, Chair of CABC’s Board of Directors.

Good morning,

My name is Beth Burke, and I am the CEO of the Canadian American Business Council. The CABC is the only bilateral, nonprofit, nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering and strengthening the relationship between the United States and Canada. We are a US headquartered organization that represents close to 100 bilateral businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises to some of the largest Fortune 500 and 100 companies from across sectors. I am pleased to join you today and share the importance of the USMCA to the business community.

The USMCA is not your average trade agreement, it is the Art of the International Deal. It’s a story about North America and our strength and economic advantage. Economies that realized long ago that our strengths multiply when we work together.

When you look at the North American supply chain, you don’t just see goods crossing borders, you see workers, innovators, and communities moving forward together. A miner in British Columbia supplying critical minerals for America’s defense materials. Auto engineers in Michigan and parts suppliers in Ontario who are innovating side by side. Farmers in Canada’s prairies growing the crops and raising the American born cattle that go back to the U.S. to help feed families in the Midwest. Midwesterners refining oil from Alberta and Saskatchewan for our energy security. These are just a few examples of the daily, living story the USMCA enables.

At a time of escalating global competition and geopolitical uncertainty, the USMCA is also a story about trust and security. The global economy has become increasingly unpredictable. As rival nations attempt to undermine our institutions and competitive advantage, the USMCA is a strategic tool to counter those adversaries seeking economic dominance. We know we can lean on each other and be successful because of this shared agreement.

Finally, the USMCA is a story about leadership. Our nations, coming together, and creating a unique rules-based economic partnership that is both resilient in crisis and ambitious in opportunity.  A region that understands that predictability, openness, and cooperation are the building blocks of growth, and the reason North America continues to outperform global competitors.

Through the USMCA, we’ve increased total nominal North American trade by 50% since July 1, 2020. In 2023 alone, the United States, Canada, and Mexico exchanged $1.88 trillion in goods and services. North America’s strength comes from the fact that we operate as a region.

When we move together, we are more competitive, more secure, and more resilient. We are leaders.

So, my primary message today is this: preserving and fully operationalizing the USMCA is essential to ensuring our story continues to be one of strength. The tools within the Agreement give us a clear path to do so. The task ahead is to use them.

The USMCA has proven its value. Now is the moment to protect it, strengthen it, and ensure its full potential is realized. Now is the time, to sign off on our story: one that says North America works together, competes together, and wins together, today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

Thank you.

Arrow Augerot | Director, Americas Public Policy at Amazon

Arrow Augerot is the Director for International Policy, Americas at Amazon. She is responsible for leading a team that advocates on a broad range of international, economic issues with the U.S. Government and public policy issues facing Amazon in Canada and Latin America.

Prior to joining Amazon, Arrow served as the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs (Acting), where she managed USTR’s outreach to Congress and served as the primary point of contact for Members of Congress and their staffs on a variety of issues. Prior to this, Arrow was the Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for APEC Affairs & Localization Barriers to Trade from 2008 to 2013, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Korea (2006-2008), Director for Telecommunications and Electronic Commerce Trade Policy (2004-2006). Prior to joining USTR, Arrow held a number of positions at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Nicole Collier | Vice President, Government Affairs, North America at Procter & Gamble

Nicole Collier leads North American Government Relations for Procter & Gamble in Washington, D.C. In this role, she leads the company’s engagement strategy with policy makers and other external stakeholders on its top policy priorities, works closely with global business leaders to interpret policy shifts and leads a team of government relations professionals in the US and Canada.

Nicole has over 25 years of policy and government affairs experience. Prior to Procter & Gamble, she led Nestle’s U.S. government affairs team. Nicole was also a Senior Policy Advisor to Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and spent several years guiding legislative strategies for clients at a multiclient lobbying firm in Washington, DC.

Christina Erling | Vice President, Government Affairs North America at Barrick

Christina Erling is the Vice President for Government Affairs, North America for Barrick. In this role, Christina is the primary advocate for Barrick in Washington, D.C., Carson City and Ottawa. She engages with a wide range of external stakeholders, including members of Congress, the administration and industry associations to identify, monitor and influence developments in public policy. She provides strategic direction, support and guidance regarding Barrick’s government relations efforts and on matters of reporting and compliance within the gold mining industry.

Christina serves on the board of the Mining Association of Canada, the boards and Executive Committees of the National Mining Association and the Nevada Mining Association, and the board of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. She previously served on the board of the Canadian American Business Council and was Chair from 2017-2019.

Jeanette Patell | Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Canada at Google

Jeanette Patell is the Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Google in Canada. She is responsible for leading Google’s team for engagement with Canadian governments and external stakeholders on policy issues impacting the company, its users and partners. Previously, she was Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy for YouTube in Canada.

Prior to joining Google, Jeanette led the government affairs team for General Electric Canada with a focus on economic, innovation and energy policy. In that capacity, she co-chaired Alberta’s Energy Diversification Advisory Committee and sat on the board of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.

Jeanette began her career as a diplomat with Global Affairs Canada. Her career in the Canadian Foreign Service centered on international trade policy, including investment treaty negotiations and postings to the Embassy of Canada in Washington D.C. and the Mission of Canada to the European Union. While posted abroad, Jeanette led successful advocacy campaigns to address market access barriers to Canadian energy and agriculture exports.

Misti Rice | Executive Director, Government Affairs at Magna International

Misti M. Rice is the Vice President of Government Affairs at Magna. In this role, she oversees global government relations, strategic negotiations, and compliance for over $500 million in incentives. Before joining Magna, Misti worked with Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and has over 30 years of experience in legal, government, and consumer affairs.

Misti was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Women’s Commission in 2020 and reappointed in 2024 and was inducted into the 2024 Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame and named to INvolve’s Outstanding Role Model Lists for her advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion.

She serves on numerous boards including the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Public Affairs Council, and Global Business Alliance, and is actively involved with the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness

“We’re excited to welcome five new members to our Board of Directors. These additions underscore our commitment to bilateral collaboration,” said Beth Burke, CEO of the CABC.

“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to work with these five new Directors. Their expertise and experience on both sides of the border will be invaluable to our work deepening collaboration between the U.S. and Canada,” added Tom Gannon, Chair of CABC’s Board of Directors.

The CABC will continue to advocate for free and fair trade and encourage both parties to work towards removing all of the sectoral tariffs that remain. Today’s announcement represents a meaningful step for cross-border commerce and a signal that both governments are prepared to move forward and build on the strong trade foundation of CUSMA.

The CABC and our members stand ready to support ongoing dialogue that strengthens the U.S.-Canada relationship and our shared economic security. 

About the CABC: Established in 1987, the Council is the leading non-profit, non-partisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors in Canada the US. Members are key business leaders and stakeholders from both sides of the border ranging from entrepreneurs to best name brands in the world. Collectively, CABC members employ about two million people and have annual revenues of close to $1.5 trillion. For more information about the CABC and its leadership team, please visit our Who We Are section.

The CABC has consistently opposed the DST as it hurts Canadian consumers, businesses on both sides of the border, as well as investment and innovation that would otherwise encourage our shared global competitiveness.

We have long advocated for collaborative solutions rather than unilateral measures. The CABC is pleased that the Government of Canada has addressed this irritant and we continue to promote dialogue between Canada and the United States as we work to foster our bilateral economic security.

About the CABC: Established in 1987, the Council is the leading non-profit, non-partisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors in Canada the US. Members are key business leaders and stakeholders from both sides of the border ranging from entrepreneurs to best name brands in the world. Collectively, CABC members employ about two million people and have annual revenues of close to $1.5 trillion. For more information about the CABC and its leadership team, please visit our Who We Are section.

The newly elected Chair is Tom Gannon, Executive Vice President, Chief Advocacy
Officer at LPL Financial. Gannon previously served as First Vice Chair on CABC’s
Executive Committee, bringing deep experience and dedication to this new leadership
role.

The newly elected Vice Chair is Peter DePasquale, Vice President, Government Affairs
at Keurig Dr Pepper. He joins current Vice Chairs Cathy Worden (Cisco) and Giselle
Commissiong (Hatch), both of whom continue to provide valued expertise and insight to
the Council’s work.

“We are happy to have these two Board members elected as Chair and Vice Chair,
bringing their strategic insight to bolster our efforts in guiding the U.S.-Canada
relationship as we advance cross-border trade priorities,” said Beth Burke, CEO of the
CABC.

About the CABC: Established in 1987, the Council is the leading non-profit, non-partisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors in Canada the US. Members are key business leaders and stakeholders from both sides of the border ranging from entrepreneurs to best name brands in the world. Collectively, CABC members employ about two million people and have annual revenues of close to $1.5 trillion. For more information about the CABC and its leadership team, please visit our Who We Are section.

As we’ve long stated, the DST has negative implications for not only U.S. companies, but also Canadian consumers and our broader bilateral trade relationship. Canadian households and businesses are already facing challenges from inflation, supply chain disruptions, and affordability issues. Introducing a new digital tax that could drive up the cost of everyday services—like food delivery, ridesharing, and vacation rentals—would only add to their burden. Meanwhile, small and medium enterprises will face negative trickle-down impacts, as the tax stifles their ability to grow, scale, and innovate domestically. 

Canada’s plan to collect the DST on June 30, risks creating unnecessary tension between two of the world’s closest trading partners at a time when economic cooperation is most important. The strength of the Canada-U.S. economic relationship has always rested on mutual respect and shared commitment to fair competition. The DST undermines both principles. 

We are at a pivotal moment in the relationship, and the way forward calls for constructive dialogue that strengthen, rather than strain, our longstanding partnership. We continue to call on the government to suspend DST’s implementation and eliminating its retroactive provisions. 

About the CABC: Established in 1987, the Council is the leading non-profit, non-partisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors in Canada the US. Members are key business leaders and stakeholders from both sides of the border ranging from entrepreneurs to best name brands in the world. Collectively, CABC members employ about two million people and have annual revenues of close to $1.5 trillion. For more information about the CABC and its leadership team, please visit our Who We Are section.

David Rheault, Vice President of Government and Community Relations at Air Canada

David Rheault currently serves as Vice President of Government and Community Relations at Air Canada. He is responsible for the company’s relationships with all levels of government and has been involved in many complex regulatory and policy matters. David is also responsible for Air Canada’s community partnership program, which has supported over 350 events and developed partnerships with 250 organizations from the aviation, tourism, and business sectors. 

A lawyer by training, he joined Air Canada in 2007 as Counsel, litigation. David represented Air Canada before courts and administrative tribunals and advised the company on various litigation files in Canada and foreign countries. 

Mr. Rheault currently sits on the Board of the National Airlines Council of Canada, the Canada China Business Council and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He has previously been on the Boards of the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Tourisme Montréal, where he was also a member of the Governance Committee.

John Lenhart, Vice President of Global Government Affairs at Walmart

John Lenhart is Vice President of Global Government Affairs at Walmart, where he works with the company’s international markets to develop strategies to support business priorities and the communities in which Walmart operates.  

John joined Walmart in January 2017 as Director of Global Government Affairs, supporting Walmart’s Asian markets. He now leads a team of government relations professionals that work across Walmart’s global retail markets. In September 2023, John took the additional role of Head of Corporate Affairs for Walmart China, leading a team covering communications, government relations, and regeneration for Walmart’s operations in China. 

Prior to Walmart, John worked at the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), leading initiatives and policy analysis for the Asia-Pacific region. From 2011-2015 he worked at the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) as head of their Beijing office. At USCBC, John led a government affairs and public policy team that represented American companies with the Chinese and U.S. Governments and worked with the leadership of major U.S. brands to improve their operations in China. Through his career, John has lived and worked abroad for 12 years, focusing on commercial policy issues and public relations. 

“We are excited to welcome these new members to our Board of Directors. Both come with extensive experience in international affairs and public policy. I look forward to having their expertise and input as we continue the CABC’s mission of guiding the U.S.-Canada relationship” said Beth Burke, CEO of the CABC.

“The two new additions to our growing Board of Directors are most welcome. Their perspectives and experience will help bolster our efforts of strengthening dialogue across the border and promoting opportunities for collaboration,” added Nancy Ziuzin Schlegel, Chair of CABC’s Board of Directors.