[CTC] Trump Could Submit NAFTA Bill This Week

[Arthur Stamoulis]

Politico Morning Trade

— The week ahead could be consequential for USMCA passageas the Trump administration is now legally entitled to submit implementing legislation

TRUMP COULD SUBMIT USMCA BILL THIS WEEK: The Trump administration could send its implementing bill for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to Congress as early this week, now that more than 30 days have passed since the draft statement of administrative action was submitted on May 30. 

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not respond to an email asking about its plans. While the bill technically could have been submitted last week, lawmakers were away for the July Fourth break and Trump was focused on his "Salute to America" event at the Lincoln Memorial. 

Pressure builds: The Trump administration has long aimed to have USMCA ratified in Congress before the August recess. But with 12 legislative days left and Democratic concerns unresolved, that window looks unlikely. 

Problems with Pelosi: If the White House does submit the bill this week, that would likely provoke a fight with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi  <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e9084904762142d29422128f3e5b5aa0084615afe9dca3f3518e3750188bd57863b13d9b44124beb7e9bb26d9d18f64e>, who has warned the administration not to send the legislation before addressing issues her caucus has raised with the labor, environmental, pharmaceutical and enforcement provisions of the pact. 

The California Democrat had already criticized the administration's move to submit the draft statement and final legal text in May as "not a positive step." However, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer wrote to Pelosi in a letter with the draft statement that its submission would not impact the content of the deal's final implementing language or binding text. 

He noted in the letter that the draft was only to "ensure that Congress will have sufficient time to consider the USMCA before the August recess if the leadership deems that appropriate."

Flashback : Pelosi could do what she did in 2008, when President George W. Bush submitted the implementing bill for a Colombia free trade agreement over her objections: block action by pushing through a rule change to turn off the Trade Promotion Authority's requirement that Congress vote on the pact within 90 days of receiving it from Trump.

That, in turn, could destroy TPA's effectiveness for any future agreements, since its main benefit is that it allows the White House to negotiate trade deals that Congress must approve or reject, without making any changes, within 90 days of receiving them.


Arthur Stamoulis
Citizens Trade Campaign
(202) 494-8826




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