MAYOR Brenda Locke is representing the City of Surrey at the Trilateral Summit of Municipal Leaders in Washington, D.C. on Friday.
In a statement posted on X, Locke said: “I joined my counterparts from the U.S. and Mexico to issue a powerful joint statement supporting North American trade and urging our national leaders to prioritize fair and collaborative agreements.”
She added: “The importance of this summit cannot be overstated. With families and local businesses across our communities feeling the pinch from rising costs, it is vital that we advocate for free and fair trade practices that benefit all of us.”
Locke said: “Economic consistency and stability are essential for fostering an environment where businesses can flourish, and families can plan for the future without fear of unexpected financial hardship. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement has already supported 17 million jobs, but we must remain vigilant against harmful tariffs that threaten our economies and livelihoods. Together, we must push for policies that facilitate investment and simplify the movement of goods across borders.”
Locke noted: “Our communities rely on these agreements to thrive, and as mayors, we bear the responsibility to speak up for the families and workers we serve. Now is the time to unite and remind our national leaders that strong and fair trade policies are key to sustaining the prosperity of our cities.”
THE mayors’ joint statement:
“As mayors from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, we urge national leaders to respect existing trade agreements between our three nations. For nearly 30 years, North American trade has provided immense value to all our communities, creating jobs and reducing the cost of living for families. Our nations have no better trading partners, and when we trade with fair rules – like under the US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) – all three benefit. In 2022, with strong support from the mayors of all three nations, our USMCA countries supported approximately 17 million jobs, marking a 32% increase compared to 2020. The escalation of tariffs only raises costs for businesses, workers, and consumers across North America. Tariffs are taxes that increase the cost of living, drain bank accounts, put supply chains and jobs at risk and disrupt the local businesses that drive the economies in all three nations. Our communities will feel the impact first.”
“Our cities and countries need policies that encourage investment and facilitate the efficient movement of goods and services across borders to sustain economic prosperity and job creation. We urge national leaders to put our communities first, end the trade war, and keep our countries strong with free and fair trade. Our families, businesses, and workers depend on it.”
