WASHINGTON (News release) - American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman joined nearly 20 representatives from a wide spectrum of American trade associations at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce-hosted press conference urging speedy Congressional passage of the U.S. - Mexico - Canada (USMCA) agreement. She issued the following statement after the event:

"Every day Congress delays passage of USMCA, we operate under the old rules of the North American Free Trade Agreement rather than new stronger, provisions that will support tremendous economic growth and job creation. For the U.S. pulp and paper manufacturing industry, the USMCA underscores support for 88,000 direct American jobs from ourindustry's exports to Canada and Mexico, stronger regulatory standards and improved provisions to combat of illegal logging and associated trade. Congress has a choice -- move forward so U.S. workers and consumers can recognize the economic benefits of USMCA or remain under the 25-year-old out of date rules. We urge Congress to quickly bridge their differences and vote to pass the agreement as soon as possible."