News

Trump prepares to send USMCA to Congress

The White House has begun the process for President Trump to submit the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement to Congress. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer sent a draft “Statement of Administrative Action” to House leaders, the Vice President and Senator Chuck Grassley Thursday. The move advances President Trump’s push to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement. It upsets Democrats who say it bypasses their opportunity to review the agreement and consider changes.

Lighthizer says submission of the draft does not formally start the countdown to a vote on the USMCA agreement.

Sending the draft to Congress is a necessary step before lawmakers can formally vote on the agreement, and Trump told reporters last week he might not wait for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to request the trade deal.

In the letter, Lighthizer says the Administration has worked extensively with Congress on the USMCA in a bipartisan fashion and will continue to do so to secure ratification of the agreement.  He calls USMCA the gold standard in U.S. trade policy, saying the most bipartisan agreement ever negotiated will create a more level playing field for American businesses, workers, and farmers.

Lighthizer says the draft Statement of Administrative Action does not limit the ability to address the concerns of House members about enforcement, environmental, and pharmaceutical pricing issues.