Mexico Ambassador Predicts Quick Mexico USMCA Passage

Mexico’s new ambassador to the United States recently predicted Mexico could quickly approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement that replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement. Pro Farmer reports the ambassador said, “Our process will be faster than your process,” at a conference of city mayors in Washington, adding “now the USMCA needs to move forward.” The agreement only needs to pass one chamber, the Senate, of Mexico’s legislature.

The agreement is also expected to easily gain approval in Canada once considered. The U.S. timeline, however, is uncertain as the necessary steps to move forward, economic impact reports from the U.S. International Trade Commission, could be delayed by the federal government shutdown. Those are due in March, if the process is to stay on-time. Then, the administration must submit to Congress a draft bill, and ultimately an implementing bill for consideration.

A diverse group of more than 45 organizations is calling for an end to U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican aluminum and steel imports so that America can take advantage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Farm groups, including the National Pork Producers Council, took part in a letter sent to the Trump Administration urging the administration to lift the tariffs so Canada and Mexico will rescind their duties on U.S. goods. The Trump administration on June 1, 2018, imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel and a ten percent duty on aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico.

Both countries subsequently retaliated against a host of U.S. products. The groups want the metals dispute resolved soon so they can turn their undivided attention to generating congressional support for the USMCA. Farmers and food companies have been particularly hard hit by the Canadian and Mexican retaliation. Mexico’s 20 percent punitive tariff on U.S. pork, for example, has inflicted severe financial harm on America’s pork producers, according to NPPC.

Source: NAFB News Service

Recommended Posts

Loading...