In a letter to members of Congress released today, a coalition of tech industry groups urged Congress to support the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The letter described USMCA as “critical to our economic future” and said that “congressional approval will promote America’s global digital leadership.” The letter – signed by ACT | The App Association, BSA: The Software Alliance, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Computing Technology Industry Association, Consumer Technology Association, i2Coalition, Information Technology Industry Council, Internet Association, Semiconductor Industry Association, Software & Information Industry Association, and TechNet – said that “USMCA will modernize North American trade rules,” and that the section of USMCA focused on digital trade will “set a new, global standard for rules that will benefit digital trade and e-commerce.” However, the letter did argue that in order to ensure the benefits offered by USMCA, Congress needs to ensure that the Trump Administration doesn’t “receive the authority to unilaterally amend the U.S. de minimis threshold through the USMCA implementing bill.” The letter instead said that the threshold should continue to be set by Congress.
