WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Zero Emission Transportation Association’s Executive Director, Albert Gore, issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s ongoing plans to place tariffs on Canada and Mexico:

“Imposing tariffs on allies and trading partners like Canada and Mexico—both of which play a significant role in the North American automotive supply chain—will increase costs to consumers and make it more difficult to attract investment into our communities. Building new manufacturing capacity and securing supply chains for components and hardrock minerals needed for modern technologies, including electric vehicles, is essential to U.S. global competitiveness with China. The USMCA has significantly strengthened North American supply chains and accounts for a huge share of U.S. manufacturing inputs. Using trade policy to create political leverage risks giving China greater trade leverage around the world. ZETA stands ready to work with the administration in developing policies that accomplish our shared goal of building on the success of USMCA and growing the U.S. manufacturing sector into a global powerhouse.”