Mexico

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.

Democratic lawmakers are calling on the Trump administration to explain the president’s recent claims that a new immigration deal with Mexico to avert 5 percent tariffs included additional agriculture purchases.

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.

“Our net taxes are essentially higher now than they were before the tax reform because of the Chinese tariffs. So it’s a significant impact."

Canada's House of Commons held a second reading of an implementing bill on Tuesday, while Mexican Senate committees began an analysis of the USMCA text

A federal judge last week denied a request from Mexican tomato growers for an injunction against duties the U.S. recently began assessing after the Commerce Department withdrew from a suspension agreement with Mexico covering fresh tomatoes.

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