Vice President Pence visits Sargent Metal Fabricators in South Carolina to tout USMCA

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence swung by Sargent Metal Fabricators during a visit to South Carolina to rally support for the Trump administration’s USMCA trade deal on Monday, Aug. 26. Photo provided

In an effort to promote the proposed new trade deal between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, the Trump administration has turned to the metal fabrication industry to help rally support.

During a fundraising visit for Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., earlier this week, Vice President Mike Pence swung by Sargent Metal Fabricators in Anderson, S.C., to pitch the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The deal would replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was established in 1994.

“Expanded trade and expanded exports secure jobs right here at Sargent Metal and all across the state of South Carolina,” Pence said during an address at the fabricator's headquarters. “And that’s really what brought me here.”

Pence’s visit to Sargent Metal to garner USMCA backing made sense. The 44-year-old metal fabrication company supplies parts to companies in 30 states as well as Mexico and Canada, which then sell those products worldwide. It produces parts for elevators, electric panels, construction equipment, and trucks.

President/CEO Tim Hayden was optimistic about the proposed USMCA following Pence’s stopover.

“It was a privilege and an honor to have the vice president of the United States visit Sargent Metal,” Hayden said. “Vice President Pence shared how the USMCA will help manufacturing across the United States and we urge Congress to act quickly to pass the USMCA to help level the playing field for manufacturing companies in the U.S.”

With USMCA still seeking congressional approval, Pence’s visit came just a week before Congress returns from its August recess and with hopes to get the deal approved before the end of 2019.

“South Carolina and America need Congress to approve the largest trade deal in American history,” Pence said. “We need Congress to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and get it done this year.

“I absolutely believe that if the USMCA has the vote on the floor of the Congress, it will pass and will move on to the Senate. We’re very confident that the Senate will affirm it. We’re approaching this on a bipartisan basis. There’ll be plenty of credit to go around when we get this done.”

But to do that, the Trump administration needs to sway the Democrat-held Congress, including South Carolina’s two Democratic members, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and Rep. Joe Cunningham.

Sargent Metal Fabricators CEO Tim Hayden (middle) and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence Monday, Aug. 26, at Sargent Metal's headquarters in Anderson, S.C. Photo provided

Pence added that the Trump administration believes, with the strengthened state of manufacturing over the past couple of years, many manufacturers are operating with the expectation that USMCA will pass if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi puts it on the floor.

"When you look at how strong this economy is, when you look at the investment in manufacturing that’s taken place, there’s some indication that many businesses are anticipating that Congress will approve this trade deal," Pence said.

When forecasting the economic impact of USMCA, the Trump administration cites the International Trade Commission, which says the new deal could add $68 billion and create 175,000 new jobs, including 50,000 positions across manufacturing sectors.

One of the biggest criticisms of the proposed USMCA deal is that it doesn't do enough to address details surrounding tariffs. Although, the trade agreement would enforce that automobiles must have 75 percent of their components manufactured in the U.S., Mexico, or Canada to qualify for zero tariffs. That's an increase from NAFTA's 62.5 percent.

If approved, Trump’s new trade deal will come with stricter practices for labor/environment standards, intellectual property protections, digital trade, and the automotive industry.

From left: David Lancaster (IT Manager), Robert Colcolough (VP of Operations), Tim Hayden (President/CEO), Vice President Mike Pence, Amanda Tiller (Customer Service Rep), Wesley Boggs (Manufacturing Manager), Lorenza Davis (Safety/Training Manager). Photo provided