MNI POLICY: Senator Grassley Says USMCA's 2019 Window Closing

By Evan Ryser

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee said Monday

that the window of opportunity to ratify the replacement of the North American

Free Trade Agreement in 2019 is closing. 

     "The end of this year's legislative session is rapidly approaching. If a

deal cannot be reached by the end of this week, I do not see how USMCA can be

ratified in 2019," Senator Chuck Grassley said in the Senate chamber.  

     The new NAFTA agreement, known in the United States as USMCA, was signed

more than a year ago by the leaders of Canada, Mexico and the United States. 

     "I've recently spoken with my colleagues in the House of Representatives

and officials in the Administration," Grassley said. "By all accounts, a deal is

close on USMCA."

     Only eight working days remain on the congressional calendar this year. 

     House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said earlier on Monday Democrats are still

finalizing differences with the Trump administration on enforcement mechanisms

in the USMCA to bolster labor provisions. 

     Should Democrats get an addendum to the trade agreement then a vote on the

entire deal should follow, Pelosi indicated. 

     Mexico ratified the deal in June, while Canada has said it will ratify the

agreement in tandem with the U.S. 

--MNI Washington Bureau; +1 202 371 2121; email: evan.ryser@marketnews.com

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