Trump, Trudeau discuss USMCA as deal appears imminent

President Trump on Monday spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as House Democrats appeared to close in on a deal with the White House to vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“The two leaders reaffirmed their strong support for the trade agreement, which will create jobs and economic growth in the United States, Canada, and Mexico,” a White House spokesman said.

The call came as a deal appeared imminent to bring the USMCA up for a vote in the House after months of uncertainty. The deal, if passed, would represent a signature legislative victory for Trump even as he faces likely impeachment in the House. 

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) are scheduled to make an announcement on the trade agreement Tuesday morning.

House Democrats have for months held off on bringing the USMCA up for a vote and pushed instead to strengthen the deal’s labor and environmental regulations.

Trump’s Monday phone call with Trudeau also marked the first time the two leaders had spoken since an awkward spat last week during a NATO gathering in London.

Trudeau was caught on camera gossiping about Trump, commenting on his lengthy Q&As with reporters at the outset of his meetings with other world leaders.

The president, asked about the comments a day later, called Trudeau “two-faced.”