About an hour after she helped her colleagues reveal their articles of impeachment against President Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she had reached a deal with the administration on USMCA, the trade deal with Mexico and Canada. Along with Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), the leader of the House Ways and Means Committee, Pelosi heralded the deal as a win "for workers everywhere across America."
Democrats and President Trump strike a deal on an updated NAFTA https://t.co/Yb4HXrxi7H pic.twitter.com/IqS0pIwwmJ
— POLITICO (@politico) December 10, 2019
The USMCA revamps the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was enforced in 1994. The new trade pact will require 75 percent of automobile components be manufactured in the U.S., Canada and Mexico in order to avoid tariffs and 40 to 45 percent of automobile parts must be made by workers who earn at least $16 an hour by 2023.
Pelosi said she expects a vote on it next week.
While Republicans appreciate the Democrats' sudden support, RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel suggested that no one is fooled by Pelosi's change of heart.
Is the timing of Pelosi’s change of heart on #USMCA fooling anyone?
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) December 10, 2019
House Democrats have spent months blindly opposing it.
While we appreciate their support, it shouldn’t take impeachment backfiring for them to join @realDonaldTrump in putting #AmericaFirst!
President Trump had also previously criticized Pelosi for holding up USMCA with her focus on impeachment. But he applauded this morning's development.
America’s great USMCA Trade Bill is looking good. It will be the best and most important trade deal ever made by the USA. Good for everybody - Farmers, Manufacturers, Energy, Unions - tremendous support. Importantly, we will finally end our Country’s worst Trade Deal, NAFTA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019
Looking like very good Democrat support for USMCA. That would be great for our Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019
He then tweeted about the Democrats' "witch hunt."
WITCH HUNT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019
Pelosi denied the charge that impeachment got in the way of USMCA, arguing that "none" of them were "important enough" to hold up such an important deal.
Addressing their suspicious USMCA schedule, Rep. Neal simply said, "you can’t control the timing."