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USMCA remains a priority for NASDA

NASDA members are deliberating policy on the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement today.

Max Moncaster, the associate director of public policy with the NASDA, says NASDA members are voting on policy to urge Congress to ratify the USMCA before the 2020 election year.

“The closer we get to the actual presidential election there’s just not going to be the political capital and the political room for folks wanting to take tough stands especially on trade agreements,” he says. “So, I think getting it done this year would be ideal, so we don’t have to deal with that next year.”

He says he’s hopeful there will be update soon now that Congress is back from recess. 

“During that recess time is when a lot of staff-level working discussions have happened,” he says. “We’ve gotten good reports on the progress there so we’re really hoping there’s going to be more public discussion of what has been agreed to, what counter proposals are out there, and how we can move forward. So, hopefully that will be all in store for us this busy fall.”

NASDA members will vote on the USMCA policy during its business meeting today in New Mexico. 

Audio: Max Moncaster, associate director of public policy with NASDA