As friends, mayors and advocates for North Texas, we are always communicating about what we see impacting our communities. Our partnership is critical, because Fort Worth and Plano bookend the region, representing one of the country's fastest growing and most successful metropolitan areas in the country. We've capitalized on the state's Open for Business motto that is driving new people and businesses to our cities, as well as spurring the start-ups and expansions that are further promoting our economic vitality.

As mayors, we attempt to keep our heads down and do the work that matters most to our constituents. We do not seek out political battles that are not relevant to the vitality of our communities. The adage that a pothole or streetlight doesn't care if you are a Republican or a Democrat rings even truer today. Our focus on local issues and concerns includes our business communities; their concerns are our concerns. Quite frankly they are worried about ensuring we continue our strong trade relationship with Canada and Mexico, and it has prompted us to pen this joint opinion column to support immediate ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Over the last several months, newspapers across Texas have published a variety of voices advocating for the full ratification of the USMCA or NAFTA 2.0. Unlike most issues in politics today, especially on policies coming out of Washington, there are voices on both sides of the aisle pleading for Congress to take immediate action this month. This has truly become a bipartisan opportunity to unite Americans and all of North America.

Bilateral trade between North Texas and Canada totals $9.47 billion annually, and between North Texas and Mexico it's $8.95 billion, according to the Brookings Institution. These huge economic figures translate to jobs in our area. In fact, more than 950,000 Texas jobs are supported by trade with Mexico and Canada.

Mayors can balance budgets, put police officers on the street, build critical infrastructure and keep our tax base balanced, but it will all be pointless if we don't fight for the policies out of D.C. that truly impact our two fine cities. We represent a growing and unified voice in Texas calling on Congress to ratify the USMCA as quickly as possible. We know the politics aren't simple, but the nearly 8 million people in North Texas are anxiously awaiting finality to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement and give peace of mind that the successful trade relationship with our partners in Canada and Mexico, and the jobs that come with it, will continue for decades to come.

Betsy Price is mayor of Fort Worth.

Harry LaRosiliere is mayor of Plano.

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