USMCA Talks In Mexico After Trump Says 'very Good Things' Happening
Faizan Hashmi Published December 10, 2019 | 10:40 AM
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Dec, 2019 ) :Officials from the US, Canada and Mexico will meet in Mexico on Tuesday for talks on a new continent-wide trade deal after President Donald Trump hinted that efforts to push the pact through the US Congress were close to success.
The talks will follow a report that US and Mexican trade negotiators reached an agreement making changes to labor enforcement under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) signed last year.
That would remove a principal hurdle to ratification of the deal, the fate of which had seemed precarious in recent weeks.
According to the Mexican government, the meeting will be led by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who on Monday called again for US lawmakers to endorse the agreement.
"There will be a meeting of the negotiating teams from Mexico, the United States and Canada on progress made," Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said in a statement on his Twitter feed late Monday.
With the window narrowing for action by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives as 2019 draws to a close and an election year approaches, there has been a flurry of last-minute activity on the pact.
Lawmakers also face competing priorities as they press ahead with impeachment proceedings against Trump and legislation to prevent a government shutdown this month.
"I am hearing very good things," the president said Monday. "I am hearing a lot of strides have been made over the last 48 hours." US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, are expected Tuesday in Mexico, according to The Washington Post.
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland -- the country's lead negotiator -- was also headed to Mexico for meetings on the pact, her office told AFP.
Earlier Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the chances of a deal were looking up.
"We're working hard and hopeful it will get to ratification soon," he said.
Trudeau's office said he had spoken to Trump by phone and the two had vowed to stay "in touch through the final stages of the negotiations." - Positive signals - Citing unnamed sources, Fox business said negotiators had clinched a deal on oversight of Mexican labor laws and a final deal could emerge shortly that would allow all three countries to ratify the modified treaty.
But how Democrats would ultimately respond was unclear. A senior Democratic aide in Congress told AFP that officials on Capitol Hill were still studying the proposal.
"No agreement to announce yet," the person said on condition of anonymity.
More than a year ago, the United States, Mexico and Canada signed an update to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), changing rules on auto and digital trade, Mexican labor laws, intellectual property and dispute settlement systems for investors.
Mexican lawmakers ratified the deal in June, but Democrats in Washington and US labor leaders have raised concerns -- looking for stronger guarantees that new Mexican labor laws will be enforced to prevent unfair competition with US workers.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in recent weeks has sent positive signals, saying an agreement was imminent.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said last week he would not accept a US proposal for supervisors to oversee the implementation of Mexico's labor reforms under the USMCA.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
2 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
4 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
5 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
8 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
10 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
12 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
12 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
12 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
12 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
14 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
14 days ago