Mexico’s North American negotiator Jesus Seade, after talking with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said he is optimistic the White House and lawmakers can reach an agreement on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) before Thanksgiving. Seade was basing his outlook on conversations this week with the two officials.
Seade stressed that any changes agreed to between Lighthizer and Democrats is really a “proposal of sorts” because it will require a stamp of approval from Mexico and Canada. But Seade said he is optimistic the changes will be acceptable to Mexico — which would allow for Mexico City to approve the changes “in a few days,” clearing the path for Congress to vote on USMCA ratification before the end of the year.
But if not, Mexico could be forced to get back into negotiations with the U.S. and offer counterproposals, he said. Pelosi on Thursday said she will allow a vote in return for concessions on labor and enforcement provisions.
Pelosi said talks between congressional Democrats and Trump administration officials over changes to the pact with Canada and Mexico were in the “last mile,” and she was optimistic that an agreement could be reached. “If we can come to terms, [which] I think we are close to doing, this will be a template for future trade agreements,” Pelosi said. This continues to match our expectation that a vote in the U.S. House remains likely yet this year.
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