the new north american agreement maintains stability for our economy and stability that is essential for many jobs across the country that rely on strong and reliable trading relationships with our closest neighbors. that s why i am here today. the new agreement lifts the risk of serious economic uncertainty that is without the trade agreement process, and it would have gotten more damaging had we not reached a new nafta. but canadians came together and rolled up their sleeves, and they put their country s interest first and worked hard the achieve a new modernized agreement that will protect jobs and strengthen the middle class and create new opportunities for
president enrique pena nieto and justin trudeau, we have worked on this agreement long and hard and we have taken a lot of barbs and a little abuse and we have gotten there and it s great for our countries. thank you for your partnership throughout this process. this new agreement will even su ensure future prosperity. it has been so well reviewed i don t expect to have much of a problem. to ensure the complete implementation of our agreement. enrique, i want to thank you on a personal note and wish you the best, and this is your last day in office and it s an auspicious day when you can sign something so important, and we appreciate you and i think i can speak for justin when i say that. [ applause ]
businesses. [speaking foreign language] there s much more work to do in lowering trade barriers and in tpfostering growth that benefits everybody, but reaching the new agreement with the united states and mexico is a major step in our economy. canadians got here because team canada was driven by the interests of the middle class. free and fair trade leads to more and better paying middle class jobs for more people, and
the benefits of trade must be broadly and fairly shared. that s what modernizing nafta achieves and that s why it was so important to get the new agreement done right. as a result the tariff-free access that nafta guaranteed for 70% of total experts is secure, and that s essential for businesses, families, intrapreneurs and hard-working people in every corner of our country. as i said, the task is not done. there s more hard work ahead to build resilient strong economies that support families everywhere in canada. as i discussed with president trump a few days ago the recent plant closures by general motors that affects thousands of canadian and american workers and their families are a heavy blow. make no mistake we will stand up for our workers and fight for their families and communities.
who are friends and partners in this signing ceremony of the tpnew agreement between the u.s., mexico and canada. the deal expresses the deal between the nations that will bring prosperity to each one of our societies. it s the culmination of negotiations that allows us. it will be then when this innovati innovative instrument bears fruit for our future exchanges. the negotiation of usmca allowed to reaffirm the importance of