North American Free Trade Agreement

As House Democrats continue to work with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on outstanding concerns with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a GOP “whip team” focused on the deal's ratification plans to meet this week to discuss next steps.

A House working group set up to address Democrats' concerns with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is making progress in its talks with the administration, House Ways & Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) said on Thursday, saying the sides were “firming it up” but acknowledging more progress was needed on labor.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with members of the House Democrat working group in charge of ironing out differences in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement this week, with two key lawmakers saying the sides had made significant progress.

“I think it is just inappropriate right now at this moment to insert this liability protection into trade agreements,” Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said.

“Doing so is essential to promoting certainty and growth for manufacturing businesses, workers and families across the United States – each of whom relies on trade with our North American partners to prosper and grow.”

USTR is pointing to a “consultation system” outlined in the text of the new U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement as a “starting point” for how the two parties can address disputes.

House Democrats and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are pushing to wrap up negotiations on outstanding U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement issues by the end of October, sources tell Inside U.S. Trade.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Tuesday will send a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urging her to put the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to a vote, he told reporters this week.

Key House Democrats have received a new proposal crafted by Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) that would address labor concerns with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in part by requiring Mexico to implement labor reforms in at least 500 workplaces before the trade deal is ratified, Inside U.S. Trade has learned.