HARDI Backs House Letter Supporting a Stronger USMCA

On August 6, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) led 168 House Republicans in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer supporting the Trump Administration’s decision to seek concrete improvements to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) before agreeing to extend it.

The core message of the letter is straightforward: USMCA has produced meaningful benefits, but the 2026 Joint Review is an opportunity to address unresolved commitments and new challenges to deliver stronger results. HARDI supported the letter as it circulated among House Republicans.

Why This Matters for Distributors

HARDI members depend on supply chains that are deeply integrated across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Trade rules, tariffs, and market-access commitments can affect product availability, lead times, inventory, and costs throughout the HVACR distribution channel.

The letter calls on USTR to use the Joint Review process to press for outcomes such as:

• Market access that was promised when USMCA took effect but hasn't materialized in practice

• Relief from new actions by Mexico and Canada that disadvantage American manufacturers, farmers, service providers, and workers

• Guardrails against unfair trade practices from third countries

• More rational tariff structures to keep North America competitive globally

For HARDI members, several of these threads track directly with issues the association has been raising elsewhere, from counterfeit and mislabeled refrigerant shipments moving through the supply chain to concerns about components and finished goods routed through third countries to dodge trade rules.

Where Things Stand

The first USMCA Joint Review took place July 1. Mexico and Canada were ready to extend the agreement, while the U.S. was not. As a result, USMCA stays in force through 2036 while the three countries keep negotiating improvements.

The breadth of support in the House sends a clear signal to the U.S. Trade Representative. According to Congressman Yakym’s office, nearly 90 percent of House Republicans serving on the Ways and Means, Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce Committees signed the letter, along with 80 percent of Republican appropriators and 85 percent of Republican committee chairs.

What Comes Next?

USTR Greer has indicated the administration wants firm commitments on market access and other structural issues from Mexico and Canada before agreeing to any renewal. Negotiations will continue to play out over the coming months, and HARDI will keep tracking developments as they affect equipment, parts, and refrigerant flows across the USMCA region.

Read the full text of Rep. Yakym’s letter here.

Questions?

If you have questions, please reach out to Alex Ayers.

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