MNI: USTR Lighthizer Tells Mexico's Seade............>

MNI: USTR Lighthizer Tells Mexico's Seade USMCA-Specified Attaches Justified

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-U.S. Trade Rep Lighthizer wrote to Mexico's chief trade negotiator for North

America Jesus Seade Monday to justify the presence and clarify the duties of the

proposed U.S. labor attaches at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico

-"The U.S. Government has stationed personnel in various embassies around the

world, including in Mexico, to assist foreign governments in improving work

conditions," he wrote.

-Language in USMCA implementing legislation authorizes up to 5 attaches from the

U.S. Dept of Labor to work with Mexican workers to help implement labor reforms.

They are not "labor inspectors" and will "abide by Mexican laws," according to

Lighthizer.

-Seade said in a press conference Saturday that Mexico was blindsided by the

bill's language and was "not in agreement."