- Joined
- Dec 1, 2018
- Messages
- 37
- Reaction score
- 19
- Location
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Undisclosed
These are the biggest changes I see:
Country of origin rules: Automobiles must have 75 percent of their components manufactured in Mexico, the US, or Canada to qualify for zero tariffs (up from 62.5 percent under NAFTA).
Labor provisions: 40 to 45 percent of automobile parts have to be made by workers who earn at least $16 an hour by 2023. Mexico has also agreed to pass laws giving workers the right to union representation, extending labor protections to migrant workers, and protecting women from discrimination. The countries can also sanction one another for labor violations.
US farmers get more access to the Canadian dairy market: The US got Canada to open up its dairy market to US farmers, which was a big issue for Trump.
Intellectual property and digital trade: The deal extends the terms of copyright to 70 years beyond the life of the author (up from 50). It also extends the period that a pharmaceutical drug can be protected from generic competition, and includes new provisions to deal with the digital economy, including prohibiting duties on things like music and e-books, and protections for internet companies so they’re not liable for content their users produce.
No section 232 tariff protections: Section 232 is a trade loophole that Trump used to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. Canada and Mexico wanted protections from these tariffs as part of the NAFTA negotiations, and the fact that tariffs are still in place remains a sore subject, particularly for Canada. Canada and Mexico did get the US to make a side agreement that shields them from possible auto tariffs under 232.
Sunset clause: The agreement adds a 16-year “sunset” clause — meaning the terms of the agreement expire, or “sunset,” after a set period of time. The deal is also subject to a review every six years, at which point the US, Mexico, and Canada can decide to extend the USMCA.
So, I have to say that as a Democrat and a liberal some of the things the new deal offers are ok. I think the tariffs referred to in 232 should be lightened (I like the side agreement regarding auto tariffs) and I like the intellectual property addition (with future reservations) and the dairy industry provision. The Labor provisions sections have a good start but need clarification regarding women’s rights and migrant workers rights and as to the country of origin section at the 75% rate and excluding of the Asian and European auto markets I truly believe this needs to be addressed before being voted on.
In conclusion, the new deal is ok like I said it just needs a little tweaking is all. I can see all parties getting behind this new deal if they will just sit down and work together on it instead of going at it likes rams on the open plain.
Just because this deal is brought forth during the Trump administration doesn’t necessarily mean it is an all bad deal. I don’t care for Trump but this deal was not created or written by Trump. This deal was created and drafted by professional politicians and lawyers, Trump is merely the signer. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t know what is even in the document. That is irrelevant, if this deal puts us closer to a good and equal working professional relationship with our brothers and sisters to the north and south then I say BRAVO to the professionals that are behind its creation. Bottom-line this is a great start to upgrading the 80s and 90s versions of NAFTA and in my opinion, it was really about time. I just wish we could get upgrades to other areas of government as well, such as our voting and election process and our cybersecurity and the immigration situation. But alas all things with the government move at a snail's pace and we must be content with what we can get right now. That doesn’t mean we just stop pushing it merely means work on the things we know we can get done right now with our present political climate.
Just an opinion for another damned liberal speaking out.
Country of origin rules: Automobiles must have 75 percent of their components manufactured in Mexico, the US, or Canada to qualify for zero tariffs (up from 62.5 percent under NAFTA).
Labor provisions: 40 to 45 percent of automobile parts have to be made by workers who earn at least $16 an hour by 2023. Mexico has also agreed to pass laws giving workers the right to union representation, extending labor protections to migrant workers, and protecting women from discrimination. The countries can also sanction one another for labor violations.
US farmers get more access to the Canadian dairy market: The US got Canada to open up its dairy market to US farmers, which was a big issue for Trump.
Intellectual property and digital trade: The deal extends the terms of copyright to 70 years beyond the life of the author (up from 50). It also extends the period that a pharmaceutical drug can be protected from generic competition, and includes new provisions to deal with the digital economy, including prohibiting duties on things like music and e-books, and protections for internet companies so they’re not liable for content their users produce.
No section 232 tariff protections: Section 232 is a trade loophole that Trump used to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. Canada and Mexico wanted protections from these tariffs as part of the NAFTA negotiations, and the fact that tariffs are still in place remains a sore subject, particularly for Canada. Canada and Mexico did get the US to make a side agreement that shields them from possible auto tariffs under 232.
Sunset clause: The agreement adds a 16-year “sunset” clause — meaning the terms of the agreement expire, or “sunset,” after a set period of time. The deal is also subject to a review every six years, at which point the US, Mexico, and Canada can decide to extend the USMCA.
So, I have to say that as a Democrat and a liberal some of the things the new deal offers are ok. I think the tariffs referred to in 232 should be lightened (I like the side agreement regarding auto tariffs) and I like the intellectual property addition (with future reservations) and the dairy industry provision. The Labor provisions sections have a good start but need clarification regarding women’s rights and migrant workers rights and as to the country of origin section at the 75% rate and excluding of the Asian and European auto markets I truly believe this needs to be addressed before being voted on.
In conclusion, the new deal is ok like I said it just needs a little tweaking is all. I can see all parties getting behind this new deal if they will just sit down and work together on it instead of going at it likes rams on the open plain.
Just because this deal is brought forth during the Trump administration doesn’t necessarily mean it is an all bad deal. I don’t care for Trump but this deal was not created or written by Trump. This deal was created and drafted by professional politicians and lawyers, Trump is merely the signer. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t know what is even in the document. That is irrelevant, if this deal puts us closer to a good and equal working professional relationship with our brothers and sisters to the north and south then I say BRAVO to the professionals that are behind its creation. Bottom-line this is a great start to upgrading the 80s and 90s versions of NAFTA and in my opinion, it was really about time. I just wish we could get upgrades to other areas of government as well, such as our voting and election process and our cybersecurity and the immigration situation. But alas all things with the government move at a snail's pace and we must be content with what we can get right now. That doesn’t mean we just stop pushing it merely means work on the things we know we can get done right now with our present political climate.
Just an opinion for another damned liberal speaking out.