Just minutes after announcing articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, House Democrats declared they had struck a North American trade deal with the Trump administration. Politico reports:
News of the deal indicates that congressional Democrats, who have been negotiating changes with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, are now largely satisfied with the deal’s labor, environmental, enforcement and drug pricing provisions. Lighthizer and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland will sign the revised deal in Mexico City on Tuesday afternoon.
Both Democrats and Republicans are spinning this news as a victory to their parties. But many are questioning why Pelosi would celebrate the deal with Trump to coincide with the impeachment announcement.
At a news conference announcing an agreement with the administration on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Pelosi was asked how she could work with someone she has called an “existential threat to democracy.”
“We’re declaring victory for the American worker,” Pelosi said, arguing that the benefits in the revised deal are more important than any “collateral benefit” that accrues to politicians from either party.
As an agreement with the administration neared in recent days, Pelosi took some flak from liberals in her party who argued she should not hand Trump a major legislative victory as he is being impeached.
Pelosi says timing of new trade agreement deal with Mexico and Canada and articles of impeachment announcements wasn't a "coincidence." https://t.co/8akZTb5iee pic.twitter.com/EY3s5FuYZu
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 10, 2019
The decision to proceed with the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement came after Democrats said they secured additional labor, pharmaceutical, environmental and enforcement provisions in a trade pact that governs commerce across North America. Those changes were critical to winning the support of labor unions, including the powerful AFL-CIO.
The changes to USMCA, which the three countries signed more than a year ago, must now be woven into implementing legislation that the House and Senate will both vote on. The pact will also need to secure the president’s signature and the final approval of the Mexican senate and Canadian leadership.
America’s great USMCA Trade Bill is looking good. It will be the best and most important trade deal ever made by the USA. Good for everybody – Farmers, Manufacturers, Energy, Unions – tremendous support. Importantly, we will finally end our Country’s worst Trade Deal, NAFTA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019
There won’t be a quick vote, however. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the majority leader, said on Tuesday that the Senate won’t take up the trade deal before the end of the year.
