Australian Industry Group has joined leading national business organisations in a joint statement supporting certainty and predictability as the United States, Mexico and Canada review the USMCA.
Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said the statement reflected Australian industry's strong interest in open markets and a global rules based trading system.
"Businesses invest, trade and build supply chains with greater confidence when the rules are clear, transparent and predictable," Mr Willox said.
"At a time when economic security, resilience and competitiveness are reshaping trade policy, Australia has a strong interest in ensuring these priorities reinforce, rather than undermine, open markets and the global rules based system.
"That is why our relationships with counterpart national industry associations matter. Working directly with organisations representing industry in other major economies gives Australian businesses a stronger voice in the international discussions that shape trade, investment and supply chains.
"It also allows business organisations to identify common ground and advocate together when the international trading system comes under pressure."
Keidanren, the leading Japanese business organisation, will publish the joint statement on Monday 9 November and provide it to the governments of the United States, Canada and Mexico. Australian Industry Group is a co-signatory.
The statement comes as Australian Industry Group heads to Washington for the B20 Summit, the business interlocutor to the G20. On the margins of the Summit, Australian Industry Group will engage with national business organisations from our major trading partners on trade, investment, competitiveness, economic security and resilient supply chains.
"The B20 is an important forum for turning international industry relationships into practical cooperation," Mr Willox said.
"In Washington we will be making the case for resilient supply chains without unnecessary barriers to trade and investment, and for deeper cooperation between trusted partners.
"From Washington, our international engagement continues in Türkiye, where I will lead the Australian Industry Group's Team Australia Business Mission to COP31 in partnership with Austrade.
"The trade delegation brings together 20 Australian organisations represented by CEOs, founders and senior executives across industrial decarbonisation, clean energy, hydrogen, sustainable transport, carbon markets, climate adaptation and other green economy capabilities.
"Our objective in Türkiye is similarly practical: to connect Australian businesses with international buyers, investors and strategic partners and open pathways into new markets.
"Whether we are advocating for predictable trade rules in North America, working with fellow national industry associations at the B20, or creating commercial opportunities at COP31, the principle is the same. Australian industry benefits when we are engaged internationally, building trusted relationships and helping shape the rules and partnerships that underpin open and competitive markets," Mr Willox said.
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