"...fulfilling a campaign promise to rewrite the North American trade rules."
Except he didn't. If you hated NAFTA, you have to hate USMCA. If you loved NAFTA, you have to love USMCA. Because they are the same free trade deal. The whole thing was unnecessary political theater -- that did real damage to Canada and Mexico, and their relationship with the formerly stable USA.
2
Such a good deal. No on-site inspections in factories to prove that Mexico is in compliance. Even the president of Mexico Andrés Manuel López Obrador proved what a lapdog he is for major corporations by vehemently opposing fair onsite realtime
US inspections. Just a long bizarre do-nothing process that involves a sort of grievance board. Mexico’s opposition is all glass and mirrors. It’s to avoid compliance. Its to escape fair-wages. Its to dodge safety rules. Health rules. Workplace rules. Its to avoid standards and fairness in order to exploit workers and cheapen the products and all for higher profits and kick-backs for corrupt officials and corporations. And Mexico is anti-unions.
Never mind stopping the drug wars and mass murders being committed by our trading partner Mexico but there’s no fair policing of our treaties. The neo-Nafta agreement is bad for USA, Mexico and Canada. Nothing but more of the same: Same old pig. Just new lipstick.
It may not be the best deal, but it is better than NAFTA. Deals don't naturally update themselves as some commentators seem to think. Obama never gave it much priority and nothing happened. Trump gave it a high priority and got it done.
1
"Rewriting the rules?"
Really?
Did he fulfill a campaign promise or did he simply fake it?
Calling this a promise kept is like saying the used car dealer who paints the black car white has sold you a new car.
3
Continuous kvetching from the peanut gallery. Cheer up, folks.
The USMCA sounds like an acronym for a Hollywood talent agency, how fitting since the bill is mostly a "show biz" attempt to convince the public that NAFTA has been replaced with a trade bill actually serving the interests of the American worker. In reality, there's segments of the bill which will due quite the opposite.
3
So, he just updated it... Isn't that supposed to happen...?
Oh a demagogue did it!
Well, I am glad he learned something!
5
Such a good deal. No on-site inspections in factories to prove that Mexico is in compliance. Even the president of Mexico Andrés Manuel López Obrador proved what a lapdog he is for major corporations by vehemently opposing fair onsite realtime
US inspections. Just a long bizarre do-nothing process that involves a sort of grievance board. Mexico’s opposition is all glass and mirrors. It’s to avoid compliance. Its to escape fair-wages. Its to dodge safety rules. Health rules. Workplace rules. Its to avoid standards and fairness in order to exploit workers and cheapen the products and all for higher profits and kick-backs for corrupt officials and corporations. And Mexico is anti- unions.
Never mind stopping the drug wars and mass murders being committed by our trading partner Mexico but no fair policing of our treaties. The neo-Nafta agreement is bad for USA, Mexico and Canada. Nothing but more
of the same: Same old pig. Just new lipstick.
4
Like a rose by any other name is still a rose. NAFTA by any other name is still NAFTA with some improvements.
6
Whoa, whoa, it isn't law until Canada signs also. If they make changes then US and Mexico have a agree as well.
3
Classic Trump - surrender, then get out in front of the cameras and tell the minions that he won bigly.
7
Rump Signs Trade Deal With Canada and Mexico into lawn
2
The tariff is, as well as the currency exchange rate, a handicap used for international trade.
Trump is bragging about it, but actually he is admitting that the US has become less competitive and needs a higher handicap to compete for the international race and that the US wants some adjustment to the trade pact.
Back when $1.00 bought 360 Yen.
Now $1.00 buys 82 Yen.
Currency rate reflects the strength of the country's economy. So does the tariff.
It helps the US economy but not really to brag about.
2
Just a reminder that trade deals like NAFTA are supposed to benefit all parties. NAFTA lifted thousands of Mexican workers out of poverty and dramatically slowed Mexican immigration to the United States over the years.
It's difficult to quantify all of this but the idea that NAFTA was a disaster simply isn't true.
We'll see how long the negotiating tactics employed by the administration affect our relations with our most important trading partners but they aren't happy being portrayed as threats to our national security when they are nothing of the sort.
Important political victory? Let's wait and see about that.
5
Labor unions and democrats have said this is a terrific deal. If the media would allow the democrats and republicans to work together without branding them as traitors to their party they can get things done for the American people.
1
Out of respect to our North American, partners, neighbors and family I cannot ever see/call this as named anything but a naturally updated NAFTA treaty. What we have in common is a North American continent? We know Don Trump has trouble reading—and comprehending maps? And he brands things.
Of course, it should be revised every few years. Each time strengthening not just free trade, but also now our essential commitments to considering the natural changes to our situations; the evolving environmental factors and the humane concerns we share for the benefit of all North Americans.
The one thing that should have affected renaming and redefining this trade agreement is to add the impacts of human and environmental shared air, water, human resources, etc. to the agreement. It's not just trading that we share in common for good in this part of the world anymore.
The US is not dominant, this is not about a rally rant win for Don Trump. It a North American agreement to cooperate. We often forget that "Americans" is not just the US. And that trade is not the only issue affecting commerce and security.
7
I hope future presidents are taking notes. This guy makes promises and follows through. Very refreshing to watch. Trump's earned my vote in 2020.
4
Trump does follow through on his promises:
1- Repeal and replace Obamacare. Ok, not yet, but just you wait.
2- the Mexico wall. Already about 100 miles built and Mexico is not yet paying for it, but maybe trump can sue.
3- lock her up. Well, Trump cancelled that.
4- Tear up NAFTA. Does tweaking it count as tearing it up? Well, it has a new name doesn’t it? Put that in the win column.
5- More coal jobs. There will soon be more coal jobs, but in Australia. I’d say that counts: Trump never said where.
6-tax cuts for corporations and the rich. You bet. More winning, for some at least.
7- drain the swamp. All the swamp creatures are now working for the gvt. Is that a promise kept?
8- bring home the troops. The foreign troop deployment is 2 per cent less than at the end of Obama’s term. Another win!
18
The Canadian Parliament hasn't yet ratified Trump's NAFTA 2.0.
7
Forcing hormone laced dairy products on Canada won’t work. There will be boycotts and Canadians will move support to local farmers who don’t inject their cows w hormones. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t force it to drink.
22
Unless Tim Horton’s starts using them then all Canadians will fall in line. Got to have your Tims
If the Republicans prevent witnesses they are violating democracy. Their performance in the Senate trying to avoid witnesses is shameful.
8
Congratulations. After 3+ years of discussions and massive expense to the US taxpayers, we are essentially exactly where we were before Trump entered office and stupidly withdrew from the TPP.
27
I can’t imagine that many Canadian consumers will be attracted to buying American hormone-laden milk.
32
@Peter - I won't. I switched to Almond Milk. And I LOVE all things dairy. But it certainly doesn't help testosterone production with all of the hormones.
And not a word in the article about how the child(ish) King didn't invite democratic leadership to the signing.
11
Completely excluded Democrats from signing ceremony and from receiving any credit in the remarks.
Trump/Pence are the most partisan, most cruel and most hateful administration in American History.
And yet....they need the votes of Democrats and Independents in order to get reelected.
They are either incredibly stupid or know that Russia has their back in rigging the next election.
27
@Eroom
Pence is a deer in the headlights. That was the point in including him. He was supposed to bring the misinformed evangelicals as a voting block. And be a worse alternative detriment in the face of impeachment.
No one including Pence wants him as POTUS least of all Republican misleaders.
5
@Anne Pence also had no political future and no morals so he was the perfect Trump pick by default.
4
Noticed all the Democrats at the signing ceremony. That’s right, none, zippo, they weren’t invited. Trump is a petty political hack, and a very small man. November 3rd, 2020!!!
30
@Puarau - Hahahha, good one. The Democrats are rather busy at the moment, engaged in a partisan impeachment of the President.
3
@Mkm Why is upholding our laws and constitution a partisan issue to you people? Do Republicans not believe in the law anymore??
2
Just look at this photo...go ahead, you can do it...any questions?
Trump 2020!
3
@Eli Trump is fake news.
2
Just two women and one is Ivanka.
1
U.S.M.C.A. is substantially 90% NAFTA plus 10% Trump fake news minutiae.
15
This story, along with the stories about the Coronavirus, the Iowa primary and lots more should be at the top of the list of stories on the online edition. Putin must be rolling with laughter at how the Dems and the MSM in this country have done far, far more to paralyze the US than any of his bots and hackers.
1
So Trump's a half demented blowhard. Who cares? Iran is cowering; Israel is being protected at all costs, while the Palestinians have a real world, achievable plan for a state, if they really want one, that is; the horrible NAFTA is gone and replaced with the much better USMCA; for many of us, myself included, taxes are much lower and healthcare is much better than under Obama; 401Ks are surging with the stock market and economy. Life is really good in the real world. Why would anyone not vote to reelect this guy? He's terrific! Oh, I forgot, something about Ukraine, that most of the country doesn't care about.
7
@MJG
Oh, you also forgot something about selling out our Kurd Allies, the environment via EPA guts, our climate via pushing coal and fossil fuels, our morality via child separation tactics, our knowledge via lies, lies, lies.
Oh, your 401k is larger?
Enjoy your money as the planet burns.
12
@MJG 1 Iran; closer to Nukes than when Trump took office. 2 Israel is led by Nettie;indicted for corruption yesterday 3 Palestinians get nothing but Trump promises 4 USMCA is NAFTA with a new name 5 taxes are lower for the rich;not me;deficit I will have to pay back is Exploded. 6 Seven Million Americans lost Healthcare since Trump took office 7 Stock Market is for the rich; many Americans are poor and have no 401k 8 Real World? America stands alone; no allies 9 Trump broke multiple laws by extorting Ukraine to win an election. Why would anyone vote for this con man? Ray Sipe
14
@MJG
I guess ignorance is bliss.
10
This article ignores a significant fact that is plain as day when you look at the accompanying photograph - there were no Democrats in attendance at the signing ceremony. Other news outlets have reported that the president barred their attendance, which is consistent with his narcissistic and vindictive personality. Let's hope that this is one of Trump's new norms that does not survive his time in office. There is no doubt this bill is major progress for workers in all three countries. If you don't believe me, ask Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio who has built a career opposing bad trade deals and voted for this one - his first such vote in his career. The truth is that the corporations which control Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans ( and more than a few Democrats) were very disappointed with the final draft that Speaker Pelosi and Representative Neal re-negotiated with Trade Representative Lighthizer. In a funny way, the outcome speaks to the type of victory for working Americans that Trump has the ability to achieve that the orthodox (corporate slave) Republicans would never touch. Shout out to Representative Neal in particular - as a minority party member in the House for most of the past quarter-century, he didn't have a lot of opportunity to shine, but when his moment came, he hit it out of the park.
12
Another day, another successful deal for America by Mr. Two Terms! On behalf of all Americans, I thank you for the tireless efforts you have put forth on our collective behalf.
3
@Bob ~
Any credit for the Democrats who were able to make changes that actually got workers, like the AFL-CIO, on board? That helped the lives and safety of millions of workers? Even a mention of the environment snuck in.
5
Hey Bob, check the post above yours please.
1
“But the deal’s benefits were very unevenly distributed around the United States” Hanson said. What does he say about the new deal? And who benefitted from the “uneven” distribution of benefits in the last deal? Can we get an answer, even if it’s speculative?
2
The headline of this article says that the president signed the USMCA "into law." Normally, the President signs bills passed by Congress "into law." Are you saying that, unlike other non-trade US treaties, this one becomes US law upon signature (and before Senate consent to ratification), and unlike other US trade treaties, this one becomes US law upon signature, and without enactment of enabling legislation by the Congress and the President?
6
@Hson
I'm sure if Obama "had signed into law" this bill you would be drooling all over yourselves with pride. The left is pathetic.
"[NAFTA] helped to more than triple America’s trade with Canada and Mexico since its inception."
This is a deceptive statement. Having car parts traveling back and forth across the border with ease does not reallly constitute trade, it means that some factories are moved to Mexico (and Canada) and some exist here. Some smaller parts cross the border as they are incorporated into larger assemblies, and then the finished vehicle.
Spreading the supply chain over three countries is not the same as exporting food, lumber, wine, software, airplanes or other goods that substantially originate in one country and then sold to another.
6
I'm curious about the list of cheeses, specifically those produced in the U.S. and Mexico using "proprietary" names such as camembert, edam, etc. It seems odd that the U.S. cites cheeses in this treaty, that in reality, to be authentic must be produced in the specific region where they originated. Most of the named cheeses are "made in the style of", right? Obviously, I'm not a trade expert but it seems disingenuous for the U.S. to use specific regional food names in a treaty with Mexico or anyone else besides the legitimate country of origin, (France, Netherlands, etc.)
4
I would remind those allowing Trump so much credit that those parts of the bill he is now bragging about (the "stronger protections for workers and the digital economy and new rules to encourage auto manufacturing in North America") were not included in Trump's 're-negotiated' version of the bill, but were only added after House Democrats insisted on adding them.
____________
"...after months of closed-door negotiations with Robert Lighthizer, the United States trade representative, House Democrats were also able to put their own stamp on the final deal with new language that strengthened labor, environmental, pharmaceutical and enforcement provisions."
– https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/19/us/politics/usmca-deal.html
59
@itsmecraig And of course notice how Dems were NOT included in any ceremonies... typical Trump: create enemies and take sole credit (for he alone can fix it).
4
NAFTA 1.1! A revision in name only!
25
@MiniBar
It's got way more labor and environmental protections than NAFTA did. It's not just a Trump bill; it was entirely bipartisan. I ain't saying it's perfect, but it's a huge improvement from NAFTA.
5
But NAFTA 2.0 can't even settle on a common acronym! Called USMCA in the US, and CUSMA in Canada! I wonder if it is called MUSCA in Mexico!! 🤔😀
12
@Suqunuq i think should be called CAMUS CanadaMexicoUSA after the author of L'etranger
4
@Suqunuq : T-MEC
I insist on "WHY would Mexico and Canada Accede to this?!"—WHYMCA for short.
1
The best thing is the fact that the nightmare initiated by Trump will finally be over. The few small changes were not worth the undermining of a friendship with a long-term ally. Trump treated Canada in a disgraceful and shameful manner and we will not forget.
79
That’s how Trump works. Insult friends and allies. Cozy up to despots and dictators. No wonder international respect for the US has plummeted.
23
@The Red Vegan
I agree. The small but significant improvements in this NAFTA II deal came at a high price for US. Given the way Trump acted, any business making US a part of an international supply chain would be taking a big risk. The understandable bitterness and loss of good will from our friends and allies will also be costly.
10
@The Red Vegan I am still angry and insulted at the way Canada was treated by Trump and his henchmen. I now look for country of origin on the label and am boycotting American goods wherever possible, a drop in the bucket but my small contribution to defence of my country. Canadians will not rush to buy U.S. milk products tainted with hormones and antibiotics.
13
Sounds like “ cart before the horse”. The deal is not finalized until Canada ratifies the agreement. Just another distraction from the Trial and his decimation on Twitter Of the character and career of yet another staffer who could not in all conscience abide by his actions.
24
And, we aren't paying for your wall.
- Mexico
47
@Jung and Easily Freudened Yeah they’re just doing all the grunt work for us
Why is it called the U.S.M.C.A?
I know what it stands for but wouldn’t C.A.M.U.S. have been a better acronym?
Wouldn’t it have been easier to say the word CA-MUS rather that spell out U.S.M.C.A. every time it is said?
I guess it’s an “America First” thing?
8
@Thomas That would be an affront to the memory of Nobel laureate Albert Camus.
5
@MrMac
Good point but if you read some of the other comments especially from Canada, I don’t get the impression Trump worry’s to much about who gets affronted.
2
It would help me. Besides being a famous French author, Camus is also an excellent Cognac!
2
I’m having a change of heart about the witch hunt. Between the Peace Plan yesterday and the recent flurry of trade deal and Iran’s nap time, it’s caused Trump to be a pretty busy boy despite. Keep it up Dems and maybe Trump will deliver all the other stuff he’s promised and then you can take credit for them.
6
@John Doe What Peace plan exactly?
2
So sad that the writers can't be bothered to actually explain, beyond some vague allusions, how this differs from NAFTA. It's all about the political maneuvering to them.
13
@specialk3000 I agree. If, as trump claims, NAFTA was a "nightmare", is the new deal only 90% nightmare?
4
“In the final stages of negotiations, when the United States was at odds with Canada over issues like agriculture, he threatened to turn NAFTA into a bilateral deal with Mexico, leaving Canada out entirely.”
Glad we have someone who finally plays hardball and stands up for working class folk in the Rust Belt.
Obama did nothing to stop outsourcing to Mexico and China for 8 years. Didn’t seek to renegotiate a single deal let alone impose tariffs. Enough jobs have been lost to illegals and robots. At least we can reduce outsourcing.
11
I’m sure if you look historically, this did little to change the course. Bu boy, what a catchy name. When W put tariffs on Chinese steel, US steel jobs were lost. Same this go around too.
9
@Jay Peters
You think NAFTA 2.0 will do something about robots?
Good grief.
15
@Jay Peters
The proof of whether Trump is deserving of your adulation isn’t that a deal was made. There was already a deal. The proof is whether 10-15 years down the line the deal has resulted in a net benefit for America.
And don’t conflate this trade pact with Trump caring about about people. If sticking a knife into the Rust Belt and twisting it got him the recognition he craved he would do that too.
4
"But many economists have a more sanguine view of NAFTA’s legacy, saying the deal provided a positive, if small, benefit to American wages and employment."
American wages have been stagnant for decades for most Americans. This version of NAFTA will not help any more than the last version for giving Americans a living wage and a paycheck they can survive on.
14
These trade deals always start out great. Just give the lawyers time to find the loopholes and then we'll see just how good it really is. 10 years from we will be talking how this was the worse trade deal ever.
8