Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

DeLauro key player in NAFTA 2.0 talks with White House

  • Politics
  • by Ana Radelat
  • September 3, 2019
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, and  Rep. Rosa DeLauro  were among those at a June rally at the U.S. Capitol asking for changes to the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement

Washington – When Rep. Rosa DeLauro and some of her congressional colleagues tried to visit a Goodyear plant in Mexico this summer, she was surprised to be denied entry into the facility.

“We were all disappointed that we were not able to talk to the workers at the Goodyear facility in San Luis Potosi,” said DeLauro, D-3rd District. “Now Goodyear is an American company…we deserve the opportunity to see the condition of the workers in their plant.”

The reason DeLauro wanted to see how labor is being treated in Mexico?

“If worker’s rights are not being upheld (in Mexico) that undercuts worker’s rights and wages here,” she said.

DeLauro is part of a team of House Democrats negotiating with the White House over a new trade pact with Canada and Mexico that would replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., chose the members of the negotiating team, which also includes Rep. John Larson, D-1st District.

DeLauro’s role on the nine-member team is to ensure the enforcement mechanisms of the new treaty, called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, are effective. But she also has an outsized role in determining what the final deal will be.

No one doubts DeLauro is a tough negotiator.

DeLauro opposed NAFTA and pushed to sink the now defunct Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, that would have allied the United States with Pacific Rim nations to counter China’s economic strength.

She said a trade treaty’s impact on labor and middle-class Americans “is very important to me.”

“This has been the crux of my role in trade issues,” DeLauro said.

A friend of organized labor who fought NAFTA , the TPP and other trade pacts, DeLauro met with some of the workers who had been fired at the Goodyear plant in San Luis Potosi. That meeting took place after she was denied entry into the facility.

She and several other Democrats wrote Goodyear  president and CEO Richard Kramer they were “disappointed that an iconic American company like Goodyear, which is shedding jobs at home while building new facilities in Mexico, is failing to provide its workers in Mexico with basic labor rights that are recognized internationally and under Mexican law.”

The letter also accused Goodyear of poor working conditions and paying less than $2 per hour to junior workers at its San Luis Potosi plant and just over $6 to the highest-paid workers.

“So, it was a good trip … but it left us with serious concerns which we are trying to address,” DeLauro said.

Goodyear said it “strongly disagreed” with the statements the lawmakers made about the working conditions and labor practices at the plant.

In a statement, Goodyear also said it “regrets that it was unable to accommodate a tour for the congressional delegation.

“The company was unclear on a number of details about the visit, including the timing,” the company said.

Fears of slacker worker, environmental standards

The concerns about the USMCA voiced by trade skeptics like DeLauro were also raised when NAFTA, the TPP and other trade pacts were negotiated.  They center on fears the agreements may lead to looser U.S. environmental standards and weaker worker protections.

“A revised NAFTA deal, which was signed in 2018, showed some improvement,” DeLauro said. “But their labor and environmental terms and their enforcement mechanisms are too weak to stop the American job loss. If the current deal were signed and enacted, we would continue to have American jobs moving to Mexico, where they pay workers less.”

Organized labor has not rejected the USMCA, however, and the AFL-CIO is sending a delegation to Mexico to discuss the proposed treaty this week.

Another concern is the USMCA’s impact on drug prices, especially for the most expensive medicine on the market – biologic drugs.

Biologic medicines are produced from living cells that contain proteins and other materials that can treat diseases and conditions like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

“Biosimilar” medicines are the generic form of biologic drugs. Lawmakers have for years tried to shorten the exclusivity period pharmaceuticals have that would allow less expensive biosimilars to come to market more quickly.

But a draft of the USMCA would grant at least a 10-year “test data” exclusivity period for new biologics. Currently, Canada has an eight-year test data exclusivity period and Mexico has a five-year limit, so the USMCA would force both countries to increase this period and make it harder for the United States to shorten its exclusivity period.

“You also have an expansion of the definition of biologics,” DeLauro said. “We need to get changes in the agreement.”

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has been touting the economic benefits of the USMCA, which many call NAFTA 2.0.

Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, said the new trade pact “would add half a point to the GDP and 180,000 jobs per year if we get it through.”   

After China, Mexico and Canada are the United States’ largest trading partners.

Connecticut’s economy also depends on foreign trade. According to the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the state exported about $2 billion in goods to Canada and $948 million to Mexico in 2018.

Despite her misgivings DeLauro, who met with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and other Mexican officials during her trip to that country in July, is optimistic the USMCA can be changed in such a way Congress could approve the treaty.

“We are working together with (U.S. Trade Representative) Bob Lighthizer to make changes to the renegotiated NAFTA,” DeLauro said.  “I would characterize the meetings and the conversations as productive.”

Under an agreement approved by Congress in 2015, the USMCA would be “fast tracked” by Congress.

That means Congress would have no more than 90 days after the treaty is officially introduced by President Donald Trump to have up or down votes in the House and Senate on the USMCA. No amendments to the final treaty negotiated with Mexico and Canada would be allowed.

The GOP-led Senate is expected to approve the trade pact. But the USMCA faces problems in the Democratic House.

That’s why Pelosi created the USMCA working group to which DeLauro and Larson belong,  said Vanessa Sciarra, vice president of the National Foreign Trade Council.

Sciarra said Pelosi “was very smart” in choosing both members of the House Progressive Caucus, like DeLauro, and member of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, to negotiate with the White House over a final treaty.

“She wanted to make sure that all Democrats were heard,” Sciarra said.

Time running out

Larson was chosen as one of four members on the working group who sit on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade issues.

“House Democrats have been pushing the administration to ensure that the renegotiated NAFTA has strong and enforceable labor and environment standards and preserves access to affordable medicines,” Larson said “The working group has had constructive meetings with Ambassador Lighthizer and we look forward to making progress on the substance of the agreement as the negotiations continue.”

Rep. Rosa DeLauro and other House members meet with Mexican officials about the USMCA.

At least 60 Democrats must join the vast majority of House Republicans to be able to approve the treaty.

Sciarra said it’s not likely Trump will send a final treaty over until Pelosi has the votes to approve it.

Vice President Mike Pence has been dispatched across the country in an attempt to force vulnerable House Democrats to hurry along ratification of the USMCA.

Time, Pence told reporters at the end of July, was already running out.

But DeLauro said approval of the treaty is likely to “seep into next year.”

“When we get to where we need to get to, we will move,” DeLauro said. “We’re not there yet. And that’s critically important to understand.”

In April, Mexico passed labor law revisions required by USMCA that are also a prerequisite for House Democrats.

But DeLauro said there are legal challenges to that law that need to be cleared up, and the budget for Mexican labor reforms will not be voted on in that nation until November.

Sciarra, whose organization’s members include the nation’s largest companies and the worlds big multinationals, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Ford and Toyota, is eager for the treaty to be ratified.

One concern, she said, is enforcement of all provisions in the treaty, not just the ones Democrats like DeLauro are worried about.

NAFTA called for an arbitration panel to hear company disputes, but that panel fell into disuse because any one of the three nations in the pact could block it. Sciarra and the companies she represents want the panel blocking provision removed in the USMCA.

Mark Linscott, a former senior U.S. trade official and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said a new deal between the Trump administration and House Democrats is likely to serve as a template in the areas of labor, environment, intellectual property rights for pharmaceuticals, and enforcement for future trade negotiations.

“What seems critical at this point is to get an agreement between the nations,” Linscott said, and get Mexico and Canada to accept any changes demanded by Democrats.

Linscott said the treaty, even with Democratic revisions, may never have the support of hardliners like DeLauro.

But enough of DeLauro’s Democratic colleagues may vote for the trade pact for it to clear the U.S. House, he said.

“Most in the trade policy community believe NAFTA has been a success,” Linscott added.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ana Radelat Ana has written about politics and policy in Washington, D.C.. for Gannett, Thompson Reuters and UPI. She was a special correspondent for the Miami Herald, and a regular contributor to The New York TImes, Advertising Age and several other publications. She has also worked in broadcast journalism, for CNN and several local NPR stations. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism.

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Plan to expand child tax credit offers hope along with direct payments
by Lisa Backus | C-HIT.ORG

When her car started making a noise more than a year ago, Chinara Johnson parked the vehicle and hasn’t used it since. As a New Haven mother of 5-year-old twin boys, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, and an 8-year-old daughter, Johnson doesn’t have the money to get the car running properly again. […]

Republicans on key committee oppose no-excuse absentee ballot voting
by Mark Pazniokas

Republicans signaled Friday they will try to block fast-track action on a constitutional amendment allowing no-excuse voting by absentee ballot.

Ned Lamont’s year in the shadow of COVID
by Mark Pazniokas

Ned Lamont has been the face, voice, and interpreter of the COVID crisis, mourning deaths, explaining setbacks and cautiously celebrating.

With billions in federal relief on the way to CT, legislators assert their role in deciding how to spend it
by Keith M. Phaneuf and Mark Pazniokas

With an unusual bill, state legislators are reminding Gov. Ned Lamont they have significant role in disbursing federal coronavirus relief.

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller wins vacant Senate seat
by Mark Pazniokas

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, won a special election to the state Senate.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion The public health bill no one is talking about, but should be
by Brian Festa

On February 16,  the legislature's Public Health Committee conducted a public hearing on two bills, S.B. 568 and H.B. 6423, both of which would eliminate the religious exemption to mandatory vaccinations for Connecticut schoolchildren.  The hearing was capped at 24 hours, depriving nearly 1,500 members of the public who had registered for the hearing their opportunity to be heard.  The vast majority of those who did testify, and who submitted written testimony, opposed the bill.  The committee is expected to vote on the bill as early as  today. 

Opinion Students need more resources, fewer officers
by Tenille Bonilla

"School resource officer" is just a nice way to say cop. But what students really need is more resource and less officer.

Opinion The Board of Regents’ changes must not shortchange its students or faculty
by Carrie Andreoletti, PhD

As a university professor and a lifespan developmental psychologist, I tend to approach my work from a developmental perspective. This means I aim to foster a lifelong love of learning and to help others find a sense of meaning and purpose, as well as confidence in their ability to reach their goals. My approach to higher education is shaped by my desire to provide the best possible education for my students. This is why the recent Board of Regents’ proposed changes at the four state universities have me worried.

Opinion How to close schooling opportunity gaps created by the pandemic
by Carol Gale

We ask school district leaders to trust your public servants whose daily work life involves assessing student needs and planning or modifying instruction to meet those needs. Listen to their voices, as we have, and allocate precious resources on interventions that will offer increased opportunities for Hartford students to succeed.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO