Mexico

Mexico is close to a Section 232 deal with the U.S., Mexican Under Secretary for North America Jesús Seade said on Wednesday, adding that he was optimistic Canada was nearing an agreement as well -- but both Canadian and Mexican officials suggested talks remained at a stalemate.

After a Wednesday meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, House Ways & Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) praised the “goodwill in the room” but said USTR’s proposal to address Democrats’ concerns with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement still had a “ways to go.”

The U.S. and its North American trading partners could soon reach an agreement on Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said on Tuesday.

Vice President Mike Pence visited Peterson’s district this week and called on him to push for a vote on the agreement.

A possible lack of funding and a series of special sessions scheduled during the Mexican legislature's upcoming congressional recess, which could result in changes to the labor legislation required by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, are spurring concern among U.S. labor unions about the viability of Mexico’s pledges.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other Democrats are continuing to engage with the administration about their concerns with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but an accord on how -- or if -- to proceed toward a vote remains far from certain, lawmakers said this week.

“While the termination of the Agreement takes effect as of today, it should be noted that the parties have shown their willingness to continue negotiating with the aim of achieving a successful conclusion in the following weeks.”

 Withdrawing from the deal, as the Commerce Department is slated to do on Tuesday, would have “negative consequences,” Gov. Doug Ducey writes.

A group of 21 House Ways & Means Democrats is questioning how the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will impact Capitol Hill's ability to address rising health care costs, contending the intellectual property changes in the deal will “almost certainly” lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers.