North American Free Trade Agreement

President Trump on Monday said he was “hearing from unions” that end-stage U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement discussions were turning a corner, lauding what he called an abundance of “strides over the last 24 hours” amid reports that U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer was planning to travel to Mexico on Tuesday.

After consulting the Mexican Senate on proposed changes to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Sunday that his government would consider accepting a late-stage U.S. steel demand if it is implemented more than five years after the pact enters into force.

Sen. Cantwell and Rep. DelBene “urge the administration to support robust U.S. assistance for capacity building” through the Labor Department and USAID.

A new wrench has been thrown into U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement negotiations between Mexican Under Secretary for North America Jesús Seade and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, a key lawmaker told reporters on Thursday.

The inclusion of Section 230-like language in trade agreements has sparked bipartisan pushback in Congress.

Republican lawmakers on Wednesday expressed concern about reports the Trump administration is willing to give up language on protections for biologic drugs in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but one ardent supporter of strong data exclusivity provisions in trade deals suggested the move would not affect his support for USMCA.

Farmers for Free Trade sent a letter to congressional leaders on Tuesday urging quick ratification of the deal.

“As it is, the window of opportunity for 2019 is extremely tight.”

Lawmakers identified include Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), a member of the House Ways & Means trade subcommittee and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN).