MNI UPDATE: US House's Neal and Trudeau See USMCA Ratification

--Adds Senator Grassley and Freeland comments

By Greg Quinn and Alexandra Kelley

     OTTAWA (MNI) - U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal

and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signaled optimism the USMCA trade

pact will be ratified soon, ending months of uncertainty after Mexico signed on.

     "We want to see this implemented, renewal is very important to the United

States, and I can tell you with all certainty that Speaker Pelosi is committed

to getting to yes," Neal said in Ottawa Wednesday before private meetings with

Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland.

     Congress should give the agreement "strong bipartisan backing," Neal said

in a statement after the meetings ended, adding there has been "significant

progress" in talks with the Trump administration. Neal's Democratic Party

colleagues are seeking answers on a few "critical questions" such as worker

protections and enforcement of labor rules, his statement said. 

     Trudeau, who lost his parliamentary majority in an Oct. 21 election, also

expressed confidence the deal will go through. Freeland in another statement

reiterated Canada will ratify "in tandem" with U.S. efforts. 

     "It's a pleasure to see the positive momentum that seems to be happening on

this renewal," Trudeau said at the photo op with Neal. "We have been working

very closely with Democrats and indeed Republicans over the past months to

ensure that we get to a good place where we have the right deal for Canada, for

the United States, and for Mexico."

     Enforcement of labor standards in in Mexico has been a major issue since

the original NAFTA trade deal in 1994. Trudeau spoke to Mexico's leader earlier

this month to receive an update on progress in USMCA ratification, a task

complicated by Trump impeachment discussions and a looming deadline for Congress

to break for the holidays.

     Senator Chuck Grassley told reporters that "everything has been very

positive from every respect" on the trade deal, citing meetings with fellow

Republicans and the statement from Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

--MNI Ottawa Bureau; +1 613-314-9647; email: greg.quinn@marketnews.com

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