COLUMBUS, Ohio — In response to President Donald Trump signing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement last week, state Sen. Frank Hoagland, R-Mingo Junction, issued the following statement:

“USMCA will bring about substantial, positive changes for Ohio’s workforce and industries. American jobs, from agriculture to manufacturing, are now not only protected, but also strengthened. USMCA puts the American worker first, and I thank President Trump for keeping his promise to deliver a better deal for workers and employers across our country.”

The agreement replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement, creating a more level playing field for American workers, removes barriers for small businesses, and encourages more goods and materials to be manufactured in the United States.

It will also strengthen the food and agriculture trade between the three countries and create new protections for U.S. intellectual property.

The U.S. International Trade Commission estimates that USMCA will increase the United States’ GDP by $68.2 billion and create 176,000 jobs, including 76,800 jobs in the U.S. automotive industry.