Canada

Members of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday questioned U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on the administration's use of Section 301 in enforcing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, among other concerns with the deal.

Citing timelines for the ratification of trade deals with Colombia, South Korea and Panama, U.S. Chamber of Commerce executives say a vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is likely to be held before a congressional recess in August.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) this week assigned Democratic leaders to address key areas of concern with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, including drug prices and labor, environment and enforcement provisions.

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) hopes a U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement implementing bill is sent to Congress by the end of the month, he said on Thursday, but Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) said he was not optimistic about the deal's near-term chances.

In the first day of Canada’s trade policy review at the World Trade Organization, the U.S. touted the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and lauded a positive bilateral relationship, but criticized Ottawa for its supply management system, a longstanding U.S. concern.

The Canadian Press quotes a senior official saying the government wants to move “in tandem” with the U.S.

“I can assure you that in a week, or next week, the deal will be ratified.”

“Canada requests review of the Panel's erroneous findings and conclusions with respect to zeroing.”

In a draft statement of administration action on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement sent to Congress last week, the Trump administration suggested the frequent use of Section 301 as a means of enforcing the deal while leaving several issues, including those flagged by Democrats as major concerns, as open “for discussion.”