North American Free Trade Agreement

John Murphy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce called the work “no easy task” and said it likely was “harder than it was with past trade agreements.”

“We need a trade policy that works for workers, not just the CEOs of large corporations.”

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Mexican Economy Minister Graciela Márquez on Friday discussed steel and aluminum tariffs, an agreement on Mexican tomato exports and a shared belief that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement should be quickly ratified.

House Ways & Means Committee Democrats on Thursday questioned whether the labor standards in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement would lead to “meaningful change” in Mexican labor practices and called for a strong enforcement mechanism to ensure the new labor standards are followed.

The Mexican Chamber of Deputies is expected this week to pass labor legislation that fully complies with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a Mexican official told Inside U.S. Trade.

Laredo, TX, Mayor Pete Saenz: “We can secure border security but not at the expense of commerce and trade.”

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is considering a proposal from Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden (OR) and Sherrod Brown (OH) aimed at boosting confidence that Mexico will adhere to labor commitments in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, according to Senate aides.

“And I will do it. I don't play games.”

Congressional Democrats believe President Trump’s threat to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border would hurt his administration’s push to get the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement ratified, lawmakers told Inside U.S. Trade this week.