North American Free Trade Agreement

The largest U.S. labor federation is calling for significant changes to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and warning that if the deal is voted on “prematurely,” it will mobilize opposition forces as it did for prior free trade agreements.

A handful of Democrats on Wednesday called a meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer generally constructive, but most said the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement did not yet have enough support to pass.

USMCA expected to be a key issue for the pro-trade bloc.

A senior White House official on Friday pushed back against claims that the U.S. and the European Union were far apart in early trade talks.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said on Tuesday that the removal of Section 232 tariffs on Canada and Mexico was the “first step” toward the passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, after which some Democratic concerns about the deal's environmental and labor provisions would have to be “accommodated.”

First up is a package of labor reforms, which could be approved before Mexico's Congress adjourns in late April.

“While we are deeply disappointed that both Canada and Mexico were unwilling to raise theirthresholds for express shipments to match the U.S. $800 level, lowering the U.S. threshold in response is contrary to well-demonstrated Congressional intent.”

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Wednesday said the Trump administration was making progress in resolving the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed on Canada and Mexico, saying they could be replaced by “reasonable quotas.”