Washington, D.C. — (IARN) — Some Senate Republicans appeared to be unhappy with the final agreement on changes to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement worked out between the White House and House Democrats. Reports say Republicans appeared to be “grumbling” as they came out of a meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer last week.
Conservatives say they were left out of the negotiations and think the new version of the North American Free Trade Agreement is too liberal. Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey is especially unhappy with the Trump Administration, describing the deal as a “terrible new standard” for future trade agreements. One of his biggest concerns is a key provision regarding prescription drugs. Senator John Cornyn of Texas says he’ll likely support the agreement but thought the Finance Committee had been “frozen out.”
Reports say it’s unlikely that Republicans won’t support the deal. Republican supporters are confident the deal will win approval, especially because it just needs a simple majority to pass. Senate Finance Chair Chuck Grassley says he’ll skip the optional mock markup process, setting up a quick consideration of the agreement.
Story courtesy of Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network
KIWA file photo
