North American Chemical Industries Unite in Washington to Defend Free Trade Ahead of USMCA Review

The American Chemistry Council (ACC), the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC), and Mexico’s National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ) recently met in Washington, D.C., to coordinate strategies regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This meeting, the third in a trilateral series, aimed to address the competitiveness of the North American chemical industry and prepare for an upcoming review of the trade pact. The collaboration is critical for the sector as it seeks to protect highly integrated supply chains and ensure the region remains a global leader in chemical manufacturing and innovation.

Leaders from the ACC, CIAC, and ANIQ convened at ACC headquarters to evaluate the implementation of the USMCA and identify opportunities to strengthen regional integration. This high-level meeting follows previous sessions held in Mexico City and Ottawa, underscoring a unified effort to advocate for the industry's interests before government stakeholders. ACC President and CEO Chris Jahn stated that the partnership is shifting from dialogue to action, focusing on reducing trade barriers and strengthening enforcement to support jobs and investment across the three nations.

To drive these improvements, the associations launched two new industry-led workstreams focused on regulatory simplification and structural challenges. One workstream will target trade facilitation by reducing duplicative requirements and streamlining border processes, while the other will address structural excess capacity and rules of origin to prevent the circumvention of trade rules. These initiatives are intended to provide practical recommendations within the USMCA framework to enhance supply chain resilience and encourage regional investment.

The industry's leadership emphasized that the success of the North American chemical sector relies on deeply interconnected markets and the maintenance of zero-tariff trade. Greg Moffatt, President and CEO of CIAC, highlighted the need for solutions that reduce unnecessary barriers, while ANIQ General Director Miguel Benedetto called for legal certainty to protect long-term investments. The organizations also reaffirmed their commitment to utilizing tools like the Chemical Sectoral Annex to ensure the agreement continues to deliver measurable benefits for workers and the broader economy.

The discussions brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to examine how the USMCA functions in practice and where targeted improvements can be made. By focusing on regulatory cooperation and efficient trade flows, the trilateral group aims to reinforce the North American region's ability to compete globally. The associations plan to continue their collaborative work with governments to ensure full implementation and enforcement of all USMCA commitments, safeguarding the future of chemical manufacturing across the continent.