Salazar Discusses Americas Act with House Ways and Means Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) testified before the House Ways and Means Committee to urge them to consider her Americas Act as the only way to win the trade war against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). 

Chinese trade with Latin America has increased 3,000% in the last two decades, and China has eclipsed the United States as the top trading partner with South America.

“If we employ the Americas Act, we will win the trade war in our backyard and put the United States back on top,” said Chairwoman Salazar. “With this legislation, Senator Cassidy, myself, and the United States Congress will be sending a very clear message to our neighbors in the hemisphere: We want to work with you as much as you want to work with us. Latin Americans prefer the Americans over the Chinese and the Russians any day of the year.”

First presented by Rep. Salazar and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in January 2023, the Americas Trade and Investment Act (Americas Act) will create an ever-expanding and permanent trade partnership of Western Hemisphere countries promoting prosperity and stability. It will put America first, grow the U.S. economy, and build trade with our allies as long as they play by our rules.

More than 60 million Americans are of Hispanic descent, helping to make the U.S. the fourth-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. Together, the hemisphere grows enough food and produces enough critical minerals to sustain every country in the Americas. Under current law, there is no established pathway for Latin American democracies to enter USMCA – the Gold Standard of trade. This is where the Americas Act comes in.

As the House Ways and Means Committee maintains jurisdiction over all trade issues, it must consider the Americas Act to substantially weaken the presence of Russia and China in our hemisphere. Congresswoman Salazar spoke before the committee to ensure this top priority be passed expeditiously.

BACKGROUND:

By promoting our economic interests and values abroad, the United States can reassert itself as the global leader in Latin America, especially when Russia and China continue to sustain totalitarian regimes in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. Furthermore, as Latin American countries pursue economic prosperity and anti-corruption initiatives, the strong push factor of migrants leaving their home countries will dramatically reduce overtime.

For these reasons, the Americas Act represents the most important, America-first development in international trade policy since the passage of USMCA in 2019.

For Chairwoman Salazar’s full remarks before the House Ways and Means Committee, click HERE.

###