Texas Association of Business and Ontario Chamber of Commerce Urge for Renewal of NAFTA

(Toronto and Austin, May 7, 2018) –  The Texas Association of Business (TAB) and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) have joined together by calling for the renewal of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Texas and Ontario are key trading partners as trade between the two regions has grown steadily in recent years to $13.5 billion. Trade in industries such as motor vehicle parts, goods transportation, ethylene polymers and propylene polymers generate billions of dollars annually. This profitability is currently at stake without the renewal of NAFTA.

“TAB is proud to partner with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in encouraging the renegotiation of NAFTA, “said Jeff Moseley, CEO, TAB. “As the voice for Texas businesses and the state’s Chamber of Commerce, we believe that the partnership between the two entities will help promote TAB’s core mission of jobs and paychecks.”

Texas and Ontario have established Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with other subnational jurisdictions recognizing the need in promoting programs and activities that increase economic opportunities and foster global competitiveness. These existing MOUs can be used as a blueprint for continued cross-border collaboration.

“Continued trade partnerships mutually benefit all parties involved by driving economic growth, enhancing efficiency, and increasing competitiveness.” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “The OCC is committed to working with the Texas Association of Business in encouraging the continued work between our two governments to ultimately develop a long-term formal partnership.”

About the Texas Association of Business

The Texas Association of Business (TAB) is the voice for public policy issues affecting business in Texas, representing more than 4,000 members with 200 local chamber partners and $8 billion annually in business. TAB works to protect and enhance the Texas business climate and strengthen the state’s economy.

The Texas Association of Business is on the front lines of legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues that impact Texas businesses; crusading to bring real solutions to real challenges for private-sector growth in Texas.

TAB is proud to represent manufacturers and is the designated National Association of Manufacturing (NAM) Affiliate and the Texas State Chamber.  Follow TAB on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan voice of Ontario business.

The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members. The OCC’s vision is to foster a vibrant and economically sustainable province that is driven by an innovative, successful and ever-expanding business community. From innovative SMEs to established multinational corporations and industry associations, the OCC is committed to working with our members to improve business competitiveness across all sectors. The OCC represents local chambers of commerce and boards of trade in over 135 communities across Ontario, steering public policy conversations provincially and within local communities.

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For more information please contact:
Jessica Georgakopoulos
Director of Communications
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
647-243-3556
jessicageorgakopoulos@occ.ca