Richard Trumka, President of AFL-CIO, the largest US labor union, recently stated that he opposes ratification of the new North American free trade agreement known as USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), due to his doubts that Mexico will enforce labor reforms.
Trumka noted that Mexico needs to change the labor laws in accordance with the agreement in advance to showcase the proper infrastructure and resources to support updated labor changes. Mexican lawmakers reportedly have advanced legislation to meet some obligations under the USMCA. Trumka claimed the recent creation of fake unions associated with the Mexican government and 700,000 illegitimate labor contracts as part of the present problem with the labor law regulations in the USMCA.
Trumka further noted that some concerns could be met with legislation changes but that trade talks may need to be reopened.
At the moment, the Trump administration has not started the 90-day ratification process as Democratic leadership in key posts have expressed concerns about labor rights, environment protection, and prescription drugs. Additionally, some Republican legislators are also seeking the removal of the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum and question the gains from the agreement claimed in the most recent US ITC (US International Trade Commission) report.