PULLMAN, WA – Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) released a public statement emphasizing the benefits of free trade among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In an open letter, SEL founder and Chairman of the Board Edmund O. Schweitzer III highlighted the economic and political advantages of longstanding trade agreements while expressing concerns over recent skepticism toward these partnerships.
Quoting former U.S. presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, Schweitzer emphasized the historical support for trade cooperation. He referenced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), enacted in 1994, and its successor, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as policies that have enhanced economic and political freedoms. “The visions of Kennedy and Reagan come true: friends, neighbors, allies, partners,” he stated.
Schweitzer also discussed the role of energy exchange in North America, pointing to interconnected transmission lines and pipelines that have contributed to lower costs and improved supply reliability. “These exchanges drive down the prices of energy we’d all otherwise pay, make better use of capital, increase the quality and dependability of supply, AND improve the environment,” he wrote. He described how solar power moves from sunnier regions to colder, cloudier areas, while hydropower generated in Canada and the U.S. Northwest provides energy to southern regions at night.
The letter expressed concern over the current U.S. administration’s approach to trade, stating, “The new President of the United States is critical of our relationships; and seems to be missing the joy in our sovereign roots and our mutual successes enhanced by free trade.” Despite this, Schweitzer affirmed SEL’s commitment to maintaining operations across North America, stating, “We will adapt. We’re dedicated to keeping the lights on, no matter what!”
As a symbolic gesture, SEL has raised the flags of Canada and Mexico alongside the U.S. flag at its headquarters in Pullman, Washington. “I hope you will join us in embracing free trade, and bear with us as we navigate the uncertainties of politics these days,” Schweitzer concluded.
For further inquiries, SEL directs media contacts to Corporate Communications representative Kate Wilhite.
