The USMCA vote may not arrive until the fall, says Kudlow

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Tuesday that a congressional vote on the trade deal between US government, Mexico and Canada's President Trump may not happen before the Autumn, what the Trump administration had already tried to avoid.

Kudlow said he was optimistic for a vote earlier, but that talks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were progressing and that the White House would not act until Pelosi was ready.

"I remain optimistic that she will vote, hopefully this summer, which could last until the fall, but I think it will be sooner than that." It's up to her to decide, not to me, "Kudlow told CNBC. Tuesday. "[U.S. Trade Representative Robert] Lighthizer said we will submit formal legislation when it will give the green light to the vote. "

Last month, the administration informed Pelosi that it was ready to submit the USMCA agreement, which would replace the North American Free Trade Agreement of however, refrained from formally submitting the text. Once the draft agreement itself is submitted to Congress, Parliament has a period of 60 days to vote it, according to the Trade Promotion Authority, the law governing the government. approval of the agreements by the Congress. The timing of this vote belongs entirely to Pelosi, which is not obliged to do so.

The speaker criticized the USMCA as an insufficiently effective authority to enforce its labor rights and environmental provisions, but he had regular talks with Lighthizer on how to resolve conflicts and created "working groups" other Democrats who will meet with USTR officials. Pelosi had previously said that the agreement was to be reopened to new negotiations between the three countries to resolve the outstanding issues, but Democratic leaders have since retreated from this position.

Kudlow stated that he believed that the speaker was working in good faith. "I think President Pelosi has been very accommodating in this respect, I mean, Bob Lighthizer works very closely with her, I see her periodically, she has been great," he said.

The Democrats have warned the White House not to submit the deal before Pelosi agrees. "We were disturbed by the fact that you sent the draft statement of administrative action on May 30 without enough consultation, and urge you not to make the same mistake twice," said the Coalition on Monday. New Democrat at Lighthizer.