Huntsville Leader

U.S. Representative Dale Strong from Alabama's 5th District has spearheaded a bipartisan initiative, gathering support from 25 of his House colleagues. The group has addressed a letter to President Joe Biden, expressing concerns over the administration's recent trade decisions that could adversely affect industries in Alabama.

The letter criticizes the United States Trade Representative for acting without consulting Congress or relevant stakeholders. The action in question involves removing a legal mechanism used by Vulcan Materials, an Alabama-based company, to protect its assets against what it deems as unfair treatment by the Mexican government.

The signatories argue that President Biden’s efforts to renegotiate terms of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) compromise significant American businesses, including those operating in Alabama. "Joe Biden is spending the waning days of his presidency trying to undermine President Trump’s leverage when he takes office this month. His efforts to reinterpret the USMCA are just another example of such meddling," said Representative Dale Strong. "This is a betrayal of the hardworking men and women who build and grow American businesses."

Vulcan Materials has been operating a limestone quarry in Mexico for over three decades. Since 2018, they have faced restrictions from the Mexican government on two out of their three land parcels. Vulcan responded by initiating arbitration proceedings under U.S. trade law to claim damages. In 2022, Mexico intensified its actions with shutdown orders and seized Vulcan's port in Quintana Roo in 2023—a move that directly affects Vulcan's operations in Mexico. Currently engaged in arbitration with Mexico, Vulcan risks losing its case if President Biden's proposed changes take effect.