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AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Association of Business wants to ensure the state continues to thrive as the nation’s premier trade leader, driving prosperity for generations to come.
To that end, the group is set to announce the launch of a new coalition – Texas Leads Trade – that will be dedicated to strengthening North America as a unified trading bloc.
In an exclusive interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, TAB President Glenn Hamer said Texas Leads Trade will focus on strengthening the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is up for re-evaluation in 2026. Hamer said USMCA is the best trade agreement the U.S. has ever signed.
Hamer said Texas Leads Trade (TLT) will also argue forcibly against the imposition of tariffs among the three North American countries. He said the new coalition will also push for increased investment in infrastructure at border bridges.
Asked why TLT is being set up, Hamer said:
“We’re close to the mid-review for the USMCA, which is 2026, and TAB has, historically, taken the lead on trade issues in the State of Texas. So, it’s very important for us to lead on all things related to trade.
“And we’ve made clear we believe that the USMCA is the best trade deal ever negotiated. It was negotiated and ratified during President Trump’s first term, and it has, unquestionably, been very positive economically for the state of Texas.”
Hamer continued: “We’re trading more than ever with Mexico and Canada. The Texas economy is at the strongest point it has ever been and is gaining strength. And part of the reason it continues to gain strength is that we’re far and away the country’s top export leader.”
Building a Coalition
Hamer said that by bringing together chambers of commerce, trade associations, think tanks, private companies, and thought leaders, TLT will amplify the benefits of trilateral trade. Through advocacy and strategic partnerships, the coalition will advance policies that enhance business opportunities, strengthen communities, and bolster regional security and global competitiveness, Hamer explained.
Among the guiding principles of Texas Leads Trade, Hamer said, will be to:
* Defend Texas’ Position as a Global Trade Leader
* Reject Policies That Undermine Economic Growth
* Invest in Border Infrastructure and Security
• Promote Trade Agreements That Drive Growth
The Case for Trade
When TLT launches its member organizations will stress key facts. Some of these are:
* Texas has been the top exporting state for 22 years.
* Texas exports totaled over $444.6 billion in 2023, accounting for nearly 22% of all U.S. exports.
* In 2023 trade between Texas and Mexico totaled $272.3 billion, ranking Mexico as Texas’ top trading partner, with Canada being second.
* The Texas-Mexico border is the busiest trade gateway in North America, handling 68% of all trade between the United States and Mexico. This critical corridor facilitates $24 million in trade every hour.
* In 2021, exports from Texas supported an estimated 1 million jobs, underscoring the critical importance of cross-border commerce.
* Texas ports of entry facilitate hundreds of billions in international trade annually – nearly $740 billion in
2018 – making them a lifeline for businesses and communities statewide.
Commitment to Action
Hamer said that when TLT is officially announced its members will agree a Commitment to Action to advancing policies that:
* Protect and expand Texas’ leadership in international trade.
* Foster innovation and economic resilience.
* Build modern and secure trade infrastructure.
• Strengthen relationships with key trading partners.
Tariffs
Regarding tariffs Hamer said he is very much aware that there is an imminent threat of tariffs on Mexico and Canada.
“Texas wins with trade, and we want to do everything possible to maintain tariff-free trade with Mexico and Canada. In fact, as we look a little bit longer term… and as USMCA is under review (we want to) look for ways to reduce non-tariff barriers so we have an even more seamless trade. Bottom line is… now we build things together. These supply chains are so integrated. When you think about auto manufacturing, when you think about aerospace, when you think about consumer electronics, the United States and Texas companies, we build these modern manufacturing marvels with our friends north and south.”
In remarks at a Brownsville Day at the Capitol event on Jan. 30, which was held at the Mexican Consulate’s Office in Austin, Hamer said that by working together, U.S., Canada and Mexico could compete more strongly against China.
Asked why the U.S. should ever impose tariffs on Mexico or Canada, Hamer said:
“The only way, to me, it would make sense is if either country was imposing tariffs or violating the terms of the US-Mexico- Canada Agreement. Then tariffs and other responses would make some sense.”
Hamer said TAB agrees strongly with President TRUMP that inflation has been a big problem for American consumers and American businesses, particularly small businesses.
“We’re very concerned that the implement of any sort of tariffs would increase the price of groceries, would increase the price of gas, would increase the price of automobiles, and would increase the price of beer.”
Political influence
Asked how much clout TLT might have with the Trump administration, Hamer said: “Well, we work very closely with the US Chamber and the National Association of Manufacturers. And we all are aligned in that we want to keep tariff-free trade in North America. We want to have the most competitive United States possible, to compete economically and militarily with China. And we need to maintain and build on and improve the US-Mexico- Canada, Agreement to more effectively compete with China.”
Hamer said TAB “understands, appreciates and shares” the administration’s goal of reducing “illegal migration.” He said: “There’s never an excuse for people to cross (the Rio Grande) between ports of entry. We want to reduce all the fentanyl coming into the United States. It’s incredibly tragic, the 70,000 Americans who die each year. And we want to work with our neighbors, north and south to accomplish that.”
However, Hamer said, “we feel that we can accomplish those goals while increasing our prosperity through the contours of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which, at its base and at its at its most fundamental level, calls for tariff-free trade, tax-free trade in North America.”
Border Infrastructure
Another aspect of TLT’s work, Hamer said, will be stressing the need for improved infrastructure at the Texas-Mexico border. Asked why this is important, Hamer said:
“As nearshoring accelerates, as supply chains move from Asia and China to Texas, the United States and North America, what does that mean? It means that more goods and parts are whizzing in between Texas and Mexico. So, our ports are bursting at the seams, and we need more investment in infrastructure.”
Hamer gave a shoutout to Texas’ two U.S. Senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with its border congress men and women for successfully pressing the Biden Administration to speed up the permitting process for international bridges.
“That’s the type of activity we need more of. More expedited, legal, free trade. As well as more investment in bricks and mortar and in people to make trade faster and less burdensome.”
Hamer said a full list of the groups that have joined Texas Leads Trade will be issued soon.
The post Exclusive: Texas Association of Business to form coalition focusing on USMCA renegotiation appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.
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