Delay risks complicating uphill path to approval
By David J. Lynch David J. Lynch Financial writer covering trade and globalization Email Bio Follow April 2 at 4:28 PM House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested Tuesday that President Trump must reopen talks with Canada and Mexico to tighten enforcement provisions in a proposed North American trade deal, casting renewed doubt on prospects for congressional ratification of the accord.
“It does suggest that the speaker is willing to take this beyond 2019,” said Dan Ujczo, a trade attorney with Dickinson Wright. “That’s going to take some time to negotiate with Mexico and Canada.” Lighthizer has sought organized labor’s support for the agreement, so far without success. Unions blame the original 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement for the loss of millions of factory jobs, as corporations relocated production to Mexico to take advantage of cheaper wages.
Addressing Pelosi’s concerns won’t necessarily delay ratification, according to one business lobbyist who asked for anonymity to speak candidly. Most trade agreements are ratified only after some last-minute issues are resolved by reopening talks or adding a side letter that carries equal force, the executive added.
The agreement called for Mexico to pass the required legislation by January 1, a deadline that came and went. Mexican officials, however, insist that populist President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is committed to labor reforms. In February, Mexican diplomats visiting Washington predicted passage by the end of April.
Talks are scheduled to resume Wednesday in Washington between Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He with officials hoping to wrap up an agreement this week.
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