Bi-National Manufacturing Coalition Praises Leaders on Border Vision.
“Today’s border announcement by President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper is great news for North American manufacturers as it will significantly improve our economic competiveness by enhancing the flow of trade and commerce across our shared border in a secure manner,” said Matt Blunt, President of the American Auto Policy Council (AAPC) and steering committee member of B3.
Jayson Myers, President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) said, “While Canada and the United States enjoy the most robust trading relationship in the world, we don’t simply trade with each other; we build things together. Our manufacturers compete globally together. We are each other’s most trusted and secure trading partners. Today’s agreement will reduce the cost and uncertainty of shipping people and goods between our countries.”
Today’s announcement by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper on their shared objectives is an important step forward in addressing the needs of manufacturers in the integrated Canadian/U.S. economy. “The action plans that have been announced and the additional work to follow will be key to achieving more efficient border crossings and ensure qualifying trusted trader companies are able to more effectively move manufacturing parts and components across the border as required for the highly integrated automotive industry and its supply chain. The two governments are to be commended for their collaboration on a shared vision for perimeter security and economic competitiveness,” said Mark Nantais, President of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association (CVMA).
“Manufacturers face many barriers and delays when shipping across our shared border which threatens their ability to compete, dampens export growth, and stifles job creation. This agreement will help streamline the movement of goods and people across the border which will help boost competitiveness and job creation for employers on both sides of the border,” said Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).
Since the formation of B3 -Businesses for a Better Border- in February 2011, it has been providing advice to U.S. and Canadian governments on policies for perimeter security, regulatory compliance and economic competiveness. B3 is the bi-national coalition representing leading industry associations with member companies that have significant cross-border trade interests and have been vetted and recognized by governments as being low-risk traders.
B3 is steered by the American Automotive Policy Council, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, and the U.S. National Association of Manufacturers. In response to the announced action plans, the B3 is committed to working with our governments to strengthen and grow our highly integrated cross-border manufacturing industries through more efficient border operations and regulatory collaboration by building on existing government trusted trader programs such as Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST). This includes the reduction of red tape at the border and expanding trade infrastructure.
Contacts
AAPC
Governor Matt Blunt
202.789.0030
CME
Jayson Myers
613.238-8888
CVMA
Mark Nantais
416.560.4005
NAM
Jay Timmons
202.637.3043
About the AAPC
The American Automotive Policy Council, Inc. (AAPC) is a Washington, D.C.- based non-profit trade association that represents the common public policy interests of its member companies: Chrysler Group, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company.
Please visit www.aapc.us.
About the CME
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is Canada’s leading trade and industry association. CME represents businesses that employ over two million Canadians in all sectors of manufacturing as well as in Canada’s resource, technology, and services exporting sectors. Our mission is to build a better business environment for Canadian manufacturers and exporters and help our members compete and grow in Canada and around the world. CME focuses on the issues that are critical for our members – manufacturing competitiveness and innovation, business opportunities in the United States and other international markets, people and skills, energy and the environment.
Please visit www.cme-mec.ca.
About the CVMA
The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association is the industry association that has represented Canada’s leading manufacturers of light and heavy duty motor vehicles for more than 80 years. Its membership includes Chrysler Canada Inc.; Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited; General Motors of Canada Limited; and Navistar Canada, Inc. Collectively its members account for 65% of vehicles produced in Canada, operate 5 vehicle assembly plants as well as engine and components plants, and have over 1,300 dealerships. 125,000 jobs are directly tied to vehicle assembly in Canada.
Please visit www.cvma.ca.
About the NAM
The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook.
Please visit www.nam.org.