Federal Spotlight: USMCA Trade Deal Needs Congressional Approval

According to the U.S. Chamber’s International Relations update, Trump administration officials are working to build support for congressional approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with members of the House Ways and Means Committee to discuss the administration’s trade priorities, particularly USMCA. Deputy U.S. Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney addressed the agreement during a meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors on Jan. 23. He said, in part: "All Congress has to do is pass it, and that is why I hope you all can help us. You all have influence on your members of Congress that listen to you, that understand your problems, they know that you’re looking out for what’s good for your communities and are concerned first and foremost on jobs and economic development. We need your help.”

Ambassador Lighthizer also joined a meeting of the new USMCA Coalition on Jan. 22 alongside Mahoney and Tim Pataki from the White House Office of Public Liaison. ABI just joined the chamber, and other associations organizing the coalition, to secure congressional approval.