ITC Begins Investigation of USMCA

October 12, 2018 by Mara Lee|Other U.S.

The International Trade Commission is seeking testimony and submissions for its analysis of how the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will affect industry, consumers and the economy as a whole. The ITC is charged with producing such a report for Congress to use as it decides whether to ratify any new trade agreement. It must do so within 105 days of the president entering into the agreement.

The ITC will hold a public hearing Nov. 15, and requests to appear are due no later than 5:15 p.m. EDT on Oct. 29. Those requests should be submitted to the ITC Secretary at ITC headquarters at 500 E St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20436, where the hearing also will be held. Written submissions from the public should also be sent there, and are due by 5:15 p.m. EST on Dec. 20. Reviewing the ITC report is part of Congress's "fast track" procedures that allow ratification of a trade deal without amendments, and with a 51-vote majority in the Senate, rather than the 60 votes needed for most action there.