Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Pence Upbeat That Congress Will Pass USMCA Trade Deal This Year

Reuters

   WASHINGTON - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday said he believed
   Congress would act to pass a new U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade
   agreement this year, providing important momentum for the U.S. economy.

   Pence told a packed audience at the Heritage Foundation think tank that
   passage of USMCA would create jobs and trigger increased investment in
   the United States, while helping President Donald Trump reach a trade
   deal with China.

   "We're going to keep fighting to get the USMCA across the line. I
   believe we can get it done this year," Pence said.

   The Trump administration has been pressing for swift approval of the
   trade deal. But House Democrats say they want better mechanisms to
   enforce labor and environmental standards, and to ensure that the deal
   does not lead to higher drug prices for U.S. consumers.

   CNBC said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the network in an interview
   to air later on Tuesday that Democrats aim to get to a place where they
   can ratify the trade deal, but still have concerns about enforcing it.

.