US Chamber of Commerce presses Congress to ratify USMCA before recess

THE US Chamber of Commerce is pressing House Democrats to ratify the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) before Congress' August recess, reports American Shipper.

It is understood that Democrats' visceral hatred for the Republican administration is likely to be put aside for the duration as both sides want the same thing. While Republicans are not keen on minimum wages and safety standards, such things only make Mexican goods less competitive which meet Republican objectives.



A large share of the Democrat caucus is willing to engage on the agreement, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, recently assigned several lawmakers to USMCA working groups that are trying to ensure the pact's implementing legislation includes language addressing Democrat concerns on issues including labour and enforcement.



House Democrats have not released an exhaustive list of provisions that must be included in USMCA implementing legislation to win their approval, indicating talks between House Democrats and the Trump administration are continuing, Neil Bradley, chamber executive vice president and chief policy officer, said during a call with reporters.



'We've reached that kind of stage in the process where it's important for the administration and members of Congress to have closed-door discussions,' top Democrat Neil Bradley said. 'That's how you reach resolution. So if anything, I wouldn't be looking for bright lines drawn in the sand because that would signal more difficulty ahead.'


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