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Representative Pete Stauber did something refreshing this week: he defended the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA) while also telling a friendly neighbor that “friend” doesn’t mean “free pass.” On NewsNation’s The Hill, Stauber called Canada “our best friend, a great ally,” praised USMCA as the best trilateral trade pact we have, and warned that Ottawa isn’t treating some U.S. industries fairly. He said it’s time for a review of the deal — and he’s right.
Stauber: USMCA is solid, but Canada must play fair
Let’s be clear: praising the USMCA while demanding a review isn’t flip‑flopping. Rep. Pete Stauber represents a district that touches Canada. He’s seen how cross‑border commerce works — and where it doesn’t. Calling USMCA “the best trade agreement with our three countries” is recognition that the structure exists. Pointing out Canada’s heavy‑handed rules on dairy, odd treatment of autos, provincial alcohol controls, and barriers to some tech services is practical politics, not anti‑ally rhetoric. Friendship doesn’t mean you let your neighbor block your farmers and manufacturers.
Why this review matters for American workers and exporters
This isn’t abstract. Dairy farms, auto plants, distillers and tech firms create jobs and tax revenue across the United States. When one partner in a trade pact flips the rules or hides behind provincial systems to shut U.S. goods out, American workers pay the price. Recent U.S. actions — including strong tariff moves and other enforcement measures — show Washington is willing to use tools beyond polite letters. A sober, focused review of the USMCA is exactly what’s needed to make sure the agreement works the way it was written: fair access, predictable rules, and enforcement for complaints that aren’t resolved at the table.
What a “review” could actually look like
“Review” is shorthand, and it can mean several things. Congress can hold oversight hearings and press the U.S. Trade Representative for answers. The USTR can trigger joint committee consultations or formal dispute‑settlement mechanisms under the USMCA text. The administration can also use targeted enforcement — tariffs, proclamations or other measures — to pressure for a fix. The smart play is to start with the agreement’s built‑in tools, sharpen the negotiating pencils, and keep unilateral measures as leverage rather than the first resort.
Call to action: defend American jobs, don’t bow to political niceties
Republicans should be clear‑eyed here. Standing up for American dairy farmers, autoworkers, distillers and tech workers doesn’t make you anti‑Canadian — it makes you pro‑American. Stauber’s message is both patriotic and practical: keep the USMCA, but enforce it. If “best friend” Canada wants the perks of a close trading partner, it should also play by the rules. Washington should pursue a targeted, transparent review, use dispute mechanisms where appropriate, and be ready to turn up the heat if Ottawa digs in its heels. That’s how alliances stay strong — by being honest, not sentimental.
