House Majority Leader Says Democrats May Have 'Deep Disagreement' on Some USMCA Elements

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said that while the Democrats have real concerns on how the new NAFTA "will affect trade, how it's going to affect the environment, how it's going to affect prescription drug availability," U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has credibility in Congress, and will be listened to. Lighthizer is scheduled to address all Democrats on March 13, the first time he has met with the full caucus.

Hoyer, who was responding to a question from International Trade Today, said that although Lighthizer is respected as knowledgeable and sincere, "I also think there is deep disagreement, perhaps, with the policy he'll be talking about."

The No. 2 Democrat in the House said he thinks there's a lot of skepticism about the NAFTA rewrite, but that he cannot say how significant the changes would need to be to get support outside the known group of pro-trade Democrats. "I haven't talked to any of the New Dems," he said, using the shorthand for the new Democrats caucus that includes some pro-trade members. "There has not been broad discussion on this issue in this point in time, because frankly, the administration hasn't been doing much." Once the bill is sent over, there will be hearings and more discussions, he said.