Mexico is protesting an added provision to the recently signed trade agreement between itself, the U.S. and Canada that would station U.S. officials in Mexico to track the enforcement of its labor laws and ensure compliance with the new deal.
The version of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) President Trump sent to Congress Friday to be ratified included the provision, but the version of the deal that Mexico agreed to and signed did not, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Under the provision, the U.S. could station up to five attachés in Mexico, something that Jesús Seade, Mexico’s head trade negotiator isn’t pleased about.
“Of course we don’t agree,” Seade said during a press conference.
According to the Journal, enforcement mechanisms such as the provision were critical in securing Democratic support for USMCA, which replaces NAFTA.
Seade also wrote to U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer, saying that the U.S. is attempting to do more than it needs to in enforcing provisions that were agreed upon by all parties.
He also said that he plans to travel to Washington Sunday to talk with Lighthizer and other U.S. lawmakers. Nonetheless, Seade made it clear that U.S. officials would not be allowed to conduct inspections under Mexican law.
Lighthizer’s office did not respond to the Journal’s request for comment.