New North America trade deal hits snag as Mexico objects to U.S. labor inspectors – By Mary Beth Sheridan (The Washington Post) / Dec 15 2019
MEXICO CITY —A top Mexican trade negotiator flew to Washington on Sunday for urgent talks as a hitch emerged in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, just days after it was signed.
© Edgard Garrido/Reuters Jesús Seade, the top negotiator for Mexico in the USMCA trade talks, accused the United States of blindsiding Mexico by deciding to send U.S. attaches to monitor Mexican labor conditions as part of the treaty.
Jesús Seade, undersecretary for North America in the Foreign Ministry, accused the United States of blindsiding Mexico by deciding to send up to five U.S. attaches to monitor labor conditions as part of the treaty.
That decision was included in implementing legislation sent to the U.S. Congress on Friday. The new treaty is intended to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Mexico’s labor practices were a major sticking point in the final rounds of negotiations on the accord. U.S. unions — and their allies in the Democratic Party — pushed for tough enforcement of a new Mexican law that guarantees workers the right to elect their leaders and approve contracts. In the past, Mexican unions were often under the thumb of businesses and politicians, who kept a lid on workers’ wages.
During the talks, Mexico rejected a U.S. proposal for foreign labor inspectors, saying it would violate the country’s sovereignty. Instead negotiators agreed to establish three-member panels — made up of Mexican, American and other experts — to resolve disputes.
Continue to article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/new-north-america-trade-deal-hits-snag-as-mexico-objects-to-us-labor-inspectors/ar-AAK9hBS?ocid=spartanntp
