U.S. House passes new North American trade pact to replace NAFTA

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday backed a new trade agreement with neighbouring Mexico and Canada in a 385-41 bipartisan vote, sending the NAFTA replacement measure to the Senate for consideration early in 2020.

Democrats, who control the House, approved the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on trade more than a year after U.S. President Donald Trump secured the deal with Mexico and Canada.

The legislation passed after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues won key concessions from an administration anxious to pass the trade deal before next year’s election season makes that task more difficult.

Voting against the measure were 38 Democrats, two Republicans and one independent.

The deal gives lawmakers from both parties the chance to support an agreement sought by farmers, ranchers and business owners anxious to move past the months of trade tensions that have complicated spending and hiring decisions.

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Thursday that a new North American trade deal will start a new phase of investment and growth for Mexico, ending a period of uncertainty.

CBC