TYSONS, Va. (Dec. 19, 2019)—Today, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Chairman Charlie Gilchrist sent a letter to Members of the U.S. House of Representatives calling for the passage of H.R. 5430, a bill to implement the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

In urging passage of the bill, Gilchrist underscored the importance of a favorable trading relationship with Mexico and Canada to the American automotive industry and to the U.S. economy as a whole.  

“Passage of this historic trade agreement will help preserve the global competitiveness of the U.S. automotive industry and enable dealers to continue providing affordable vehicle options for American consumers,” wrote Gilchrist, president of Gilchrist Automotive, which includes Buick-Chevrolet-GMC, Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram, Ford, Nissan and Volkswagen franchises at five dealership locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Gilchrist also addressed the need for USMCA passage to reduce the threat of any future tariffs on vehicles and auto parts and create certainty in the automotive sector.

“Approval of USMCA will also reduce the threat of additional, broad-based tariffs on vehicles and parts produced in North America. Tariff-related price increases on vehicles and parts would cost jobs and hurt our economy,” Gilchrist added.

In October of this year, NADA Chairman Charlie Gilchrist addressed members of the Automotive Press Association in Detroit underscoring the need for swift Congressional passage of USMCA to create certainty for the automotive industry and the U.S. economy broadly.

Please find the full text of Gilchrist’s letter to the U.S. House of Representatives here.