On January 29, 2019, President Donald Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and in remarks at the White House stated that the agreement is “the largest, fairest, most balanced, and modern trade agreement ever achieved.” He added that the agreement is “a colossal victory for our farmers, ranchers, energy workers, factory workers, and American workers in all 50 states” and that it is “estimated to add another 1.2 percent to our GDP and create countless new American jobs.”
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer stated, “President Trump set out to chart a new course. The Trump trade policy is designed to create more manufacturing jobs, protect America’s competitive advantage in technology and innovation, secure greater market access for American businesses, farmers, ranchers, and, critically, to change the stale politics of trade by creating bipartisan consensus around a new model that works better for all Americans. The USMCA achieves each of these goals.”
With Mexico’s ratification of the agreement in June 2019, Canada remains the sole party still needing to approve and ratify the USMCA. With the recent resumption of its parliamentary session this year, Canada’s House of Commons has now introduced the necessary implementing legislation. While debate is expected, Canada’s Conservative Party, the main opposition party, has stated that it will not obstruct the process. Canada is expected to ratify the USMCA no later than April 2020.