USMCA: Canada Has the Ball in its Corner

In June 2019, Mexico became the first country to ratify the deal. On January 29, 2020, President  officially signed the USMCA. Now, it's your turn, Canada. Get a move on! It will take another 90 days after all 3 countries have signed the deal for it to take effect.

Here is a review of what's in the USMCA, courtesy of V O X

Here’s a brief overview of what’s in it:

• Country of origin rules: Automobiles must have 75 percent of their components manufactured in Mexico, the US, or Canada to qualify for zero tariffs (up from 62.5 percent under NAFTA).
• Labor provisions: 40 to 45 percent of automobile parts must be made by workers who earn at least $16 an hour by 2023. Mexico agreed to pass new labor laws to give greater protections to workers, including migrants and women. Most notably, these laws are supposed to make it easier for Mexican workers to unionize.
• US farmers get more access to the Canadian dairy market: The US got Canada to open up its dairy market to US farmers, a big issue for Trump.
• Intellectual property and digital trade: The deal extends the terms of copyright to 70 years beyond the life of the author (up from 50). It also includes new provisions to deal with the digital economy, such as prohibiting duties on things like music and ebooks, and protections for internet companies so they’re not liable for content their users produce.
• Sunset clause: The agreement adds a 16-year sunset clause — meaning the terms of the agreement expire, or “sunset,” after 16 years. The deal is also subject to a review every six years, at which point the US, Mexico, and Canada can decide to extend the USMCA.

Year 2018

Canada Begins USMCA Ratification Process

Summary: USMCA

Isaiah 43

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