[CTC] Sen. Wyden wants to replicate USMCA measures

[Arthur Stamoulis]

Politico Morning Trade

— Incoming Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden <https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3f06f959cbd61527fc4a310caae3bb34298681c2c9d3932242147549fa726ffce77ed907f18d1287ae6fa68c0e07cb73> said trade enforcement will be a key priority for his members. He hopes the Biden team can “replicate” enforcement measures in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement.
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WYDEN SAYS TRADE ENFORCEMENT A FINANCE PRIORITY:The Oregon Democrat said trade enforcement will be a focus for his Finance panel in Congress this year, and he hopes the Biden administration can “replicate” enforcement provisions in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada deal that updated NAFTA.

Replicate rapid response: That deal was negotiated by Trump and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. But it only passed Congress — by wide margin — after Democrats negotiated tougher labor and environmental standards.

One key provision is the “rapid response” mechanism <https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3f06f959cbd615276ee41e5034b27c15e776f2c21eeec772f23b221ea274d87c8f089af2cfb47c02e6edb6015d42edd9> in USMCA which allows three-person teams of labor experts to investigate any allegations that Mexican workers are not being given full rights to form a union. Wyden said he hopes that becomes standard practice for the U.S. trade policy.

“I think we can replicate it and it can be a key part of the president-elect’s Build Back Better plan to have tougher trade enforcement,” he told reporters on a call previewing the Finance Committee’s priorities.

No new tariff takes: Wyden did not touch on whether he thinks Biden should remove tariffs on China or allies, or if he wants new trade talks in Asia, which a Democratic representative called for a day earlier <https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3f06f959cbd615275f93adc1ec9b2fa12c050129d6cff833d474fb7b1f0926747cc3e95673d953909f127321124c8df2>. He called tariffs a “tool” of trade policy, but said Trump’s frequent use of them “proved” they aren’t enough to stop China’s “rampant trade cheating.”

Tai hearing soon: Wyden also welcomed outgoing Chair Chuck Grassley  <https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3f06f959cbd61527cc9c7d0d88973f88efcb7b380a7c8ac14f60d99d8122e52887d924ab1bfba1a667a52ad36c4cae50>’s decision to hold a confirmation hearing for Biden’s Treasury nominee, Janet Yellen, on Jan. 19. He said he would move quickly to hold one for USTR nominee Katherine Tai, but gave no date.


Arthur Stamoulis
Citizens Trade Campaign
(202) 494-8826




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