President Trump began his first presidential campaign by demonstrating his disapproval for global trade, as well as his intention to ratify the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Tariffs on both Canada and Mexico for the trade of aluminum and steel jump started the negotiations, resulting in the proposed United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USCMA).
While America awaits U.S. ratifications, promise of success in the proposed agreement has been outlined by Mexico.
Senior director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation Dave Salmonsen demonstrates his enthusiasm for Mexico?s progress in the USCMA.
?It?s a good sign to our congress that it can get done. Mexico wants this to get done, and they?re willing to do some hard things. Change in their [Mexico] labor laws is a big reform for them. There is opposition to that, but they went ahead and they?re doing it, so I think that?s a sign that the USMCA is something that the U.S. needs to get done.?
While Mexico makes USMCA advancements, Salmonsen forecasted the actions of our neighbors to the north.
?It?s not a question of passing, it?s more a question of when they?re gonna pass it. I think as they [Canada] see the U.S making progress, they will probably want to move it through their Parliament around the same time. But again, very positive sign, with Canada, that they are ready to go.?
Salmonsen touches on America?s efforts in the USMCA by discussing the partnership between current United State Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and the House Democrats.
?Democrats have some ideas, they want changes. The Administration is working with them on that. Ambassador Lighthizer was at hearings before the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee [and] pledged he would work with them. He thought these were issues that could be addressed. It goes mostly around these issues with just better enforcement. There?s provisions in the USMCA, how they actively implemented and enforced, and that?s something everybody cares about in all trade agreements.?
