Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), and Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) sent a joint letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expressing strong support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and urging the administration to protect the agreement's benefits for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and water heating industry.

Together, the associations represent manufacturers, wholesale distributors and the contractors who install, service, distribute, and manufacture essential HVACR and water heating systems throughout the United States. The letter notes that 1.9 million American workers across the industry benefit from the USMCA. The associations argue that the USMCA's predictable trading framework has allowed companies to invest in North American production, build regional supplier relationships, and reliably supply the U.S. market, but that these outcomes are now at risk without continued support from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which is currently negotiating the continuation of the USMCA.

The associations emphasized the larger stakes for the industry and its customers, writing: "Maintaining a strong and predictable USMCA will support continued investment in HVACR manufacturing across North America, support U.S. workers and businesses throughout the supply chain, and ensure that essential heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration equipment remains available when consumers and businesses need it.”

The coalition urged USTR to prioritize the following three policies:

• Provide broad Section 232 relief for HVACR equipment, parts and components that qualify as originating under the USMCA.
• Preserve workable rules of origin that encourage North American production while recognizing the industry's complex manufacturing processes and specialized inputs.
• Maintain USMCA exemptions in future tariff actions to protect the agreement's value and provide certainty for long-term investment and sourcing decisions.

The associations also highlighted the importance of the sector to homes, schools, hospitals, food and medicine storage, workplaces, and industrial operations. Disruptions in equipment and replacement-part availability can therefore affect consumers and businesses far beyond the HVACR industry.

The coalition says it looks forward to working with USTR as negotiations with Mexico and the broader USMCA Joint Review process continue.

Read the full text of the coalition letter here.