Asa Hutchinson on Free Trade Former Administrator of D.E.A.; former Republican Representative (AR-3)

$2.1B Arkansas trade with Canada & Mexico

We can't know for sure the harm the state would suffer without an agreement but the loss in trade and jobs would be significant. The numbers show the benefit when we can freely and fairly export to our North American partners. Canada is Arkansas's largest trading partner. Our neighbor to the north imported more than $1.2 billion worth of Arkansas products in 2018. That is almost 19 percent of our total exports. Mexico, our second-largest partner, imported nearly $900 million worth of our goods last year.

We can't overemphasize the importance of the free flow of commerce between our North American neighbors. I have written our Senate leadership and asked them to ratify this trade agreement, which is so important to Arkansas.

Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR): "#USMCA is good news for AR & AR farmers. The agreement will enable our agricultural producers to continue trade w/ our state's export customers in Mexico & Canada. While I am still studying many of the details, this is a victory for American workers & Pres @realDonaldTrump."

Supports high tariffs to eventually lead to low tariffs

Hutchinson said a new trade agreement with China would be unprecedented. "I think it's critical for President Trump that he has a good outcome," Hutchinson said. "I think trade is a key part of that to show industrial America his trade policies have benefited the working class here in the United States and those that depend on those manufacturing jobs. I think right now that grade is a little bit incomplete, but I'm optimistic it's going to turn around."