Trade Subcommittee Chairman Says USMCA Negotiations Have 'Hiccups' but Deal Can Be Achieved
House Trade Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., a member of the working group working to get changes to the new NAFTA to suit Democrats, said "there's been some hiccups" in negotiations with the administration, but a deal is achievable if the administration wants it. "Everybody's trying to figure out how to do it," he said. And, given the amount of staff work, and the pace of meetings -- two this week with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer -- if the Democrats and USTR don't reach agreement "it's not going to be for lack of effort."
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Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., is not in the working group, but is on the Ways and Means Committee where a ratification process will start. He said of House Democratic leaders, "they're trying to find a way to get this wrapped, too, and the goal is still this year."
"The tough one is obviously biologics, how do we resolve that, because there is great consternation in our caucus, and I don't think the Speaker wants to bring something that contentious forward in an agreement like this, when you don't have to," Kind said. Democrats in the center and on the left do not want the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to mandate a 10-year exclusivity period for biologics.
Blumenauer declined to talk specifics of the gaps between the two sides, but did say that the letter from the president of Mexico, delivered Oct. 17, that said Mexico would spend 23 percent more on setting up labor reform institutions was "very useful."
"He sincerely, we think, wants to deliver. We want to help him," Blumenauer said. "It's acknowledged this was a disaster for Mexican workers ... they're exactly where they were when we started this stuff. It's acknowledged! Which I think is constructive."
Unlike fellow working group member John Larson, D-Conn., Blumenauer said attaching a multi-employer pension reform bill to USMCA would not help it garner votes (see 1910160054). "I think it should be considered on its own merits. But that's above my pay grade," he said. "If the Speaker and the administration want to do more complex things, I don't think it helps, but again, that's not my call."