UAW Statement on the Car-Content Rule Announced by the USTR

We are deeply disappointed by the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) panel’s unfortunate decision which would, as a practical matter, allow automakers to reduce the amount of North American content needed to meet the auto rules of origin standard found in USMCA.

We commend the Biden Administration for standing with workers’ and fighting for American jobs. This decision is yet another example of how far we still have to go in order to ensure workers get a fair shake in our trade agreements.

The roll-up provisions that automakers fought for are harmful to our members and undermines USMCA’s goal of bolstering the U.S. auto industry. In short, 70% should mean 70% — not 100%. Time and time again workers have been given empty promises, and this is a vital matter that directly affects jobs for workers here in the U.S. Undercutting the integrity of the rules degrades the confidence working people have in trade agreements.