Democrats close deal with Trump on USMCA trade
WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders said Tuesday they had agreed to a newly negotiated trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada, proclaiming it would far exceed worker protections of earlier international agreements of its kind.
Speaking to reporters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said she would move quickly to pass the agreement, even as her party moves ahead to impeach President Donald Trump.
“There are some people who say why give Trump a victory,” Pelosi said. “We’re declaring victory for the American worker.”
With U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer traveling to Mexico on Tuesday to get a signature on the USMCA, which would replace the 1990s era North American Free Trade Agreement, the question now is how quickly Congress can vote to ratify the deal.
On Tuesday Trump tweeted, “America’s great USMCA Trade Bill is looking good.”
Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, released a statement imploring Congress to support the trade deal.
“This is a defining moment for our nation: we have an opportunity to pass one of the largest trilateral trade agreements,” he said. “The North American Free Trade Agreement
gave rise to the greatest display of economic growth in the history of Texas, United States, Mexico and Canada. Now, it is time to continue and build on this economic prosperity by passing the USMCA.”
The question is whether more liberal Democrats in the House will shift from their traditional opposition to free trade deals to support the USMCA. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, DCalif., said the trade agreement would ensure that Mexico adhered more closely to U.S. labor standards, limiting companies’ incentive to shift operations abroad.
“This is no longer NAFTA-lite,” he said. “Parts we have negotiated
have never been included any free trade agreement in the history of this country.”
At least one progressive member, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, said he supported the USMCA, adding that he was glad to see a “price gouging” provision protecting drug manufacturers removed from the final deal.
“Finally, we have a 21st century trade agreement that not only encourages more trade but adds protection for the environment and workers,” he said.
Getting there wasn’t easy, as the White House and Democrats debated what enforcement provisions to put in place to ensure Mexico complied with the tougher labor standards, said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., who led the Democratic negotiations with the White House.
“These were intense, argumentative, angry negotiations,” Neal said. “The offering we have in front of us today is indicative of the goodwill.”