Washington – Today, members of Business Roundtable (BRT), the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), and Mexico’s Consejo Mexicano de Hombres de Negocios (CMHN) issued a joint statement following a dynamic meeting in Washington focused on North American competitiveness, trade, and energy issues of common interest.

“BRT, CMHN and CCCE have a long history of working together to strengthen the beneficial economic ties among our respective nations.  While the North American market is huge, and trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States is healthy and growing, we need to seek ways to make our market more globally competitive.

“Over the past two decades, growth in North American trade and investment has promoted regional, cross-border supply chains that have benefited the United States, Canada and Mexico alike.  However, at a time of major change in the global economy, our organizations believe it is essential that we continue to enhance the ability of U.S., Canadian and Mexican companies and workers to compete internationally. 

“Our organizations endorse Mexico’s and Canada’s joining the United States and eight other Pacific Rim nations in the ongoing Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.  The TPP will not only help strengthen North American economic ties, but also holds the promise of significantly enhancing trade and investment opportunities for our three nations with other countries in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.

“Our three organizations will also continue to work with our respective governments to promote regulatory cooperation and to further measures that secure our borders and expedite the legitimate movement of goods and people throughout the North American market.

“Finally, North America is blessed with an abundance of energy resources.  While our three nations have a history of close cooperation on many energy matters, more can be done to reduce regulatory burdens that inhibit the quest for growth and North American energy self-reliance.

“Our three organizations are making a strong and growing North American market a priority, and urge our respective policymakers to ensure that Canada, Mexico and the United States – and the businesses, farmers, consumers and workers they represent – are positioned to compete and win in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.”