USMCA update

USMCA update

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett
There is reportedly movement toward an agreement on the United States Mexico Canada Agreement.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says from what he's been told all signs point to a deal.

The administration's chief Negotiator Robert LIghthizer is said to be meeting with House leaders to iron out sticking points. Some lawmakers are calling for stronger enforcement, labor and prescription drug provisions in the agreement, something Lighthizer reportedly said is doable.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka has said the deal is unenforceable and that he can not support it. Trumka says Mexico will keep wages low hurting US workers. There is a clause in the deal that in the case of a trade dispute, would allow either party to stop the appointment of an arbitrator. And dispute resolution has taken eight to ten years. And in the meantime, the product that's produced in violation of the agreement continues to come into the country.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers President Robert Martinez Jr. said the deal does not currently go far enough to stop outsourcing to Mexico.'

Nearly 1,000 food and agriculture organizations have told Congress the plan should be agreed to sooner rather than later.

Mexico has already ratified the agreement, Canada has said it will take up once the US Congress passes the plan.

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