Trump Says Congress Must First Pass USMCA Trade Deal Before Infrastructure Bill - Letter

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd May, 2019) Congress must first pass the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) before focusing on the infrastructure package, US President Donald Trump said in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer.

"Before we get to infrastructure, it is my strong view that Congress should first pass the important and popular USMCA trade deal," Trump said in the letter on Tuesday.

Trump added that he looks forward to welcoming both Schumer and Pelosi to the White House including their colleagues to further discuss an infrastructure package.

The USMCA, which will replace the 1994 NAFTA trade deal, covers auto and agricultural tariffs, intellectual property rights, labor standards, and environmental protections, among other issues.

The agreement must be ratified by the legislatures or parliament in each of the countries in order to take effect.