How to develop a briefing note based on:

1. Assume that the new USMCA trade agreement has not yet been ratified by the U.S. Congress. You are a senior economist in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (also known as Global Affairs Canada) and you need to brief the Minister of Global Affairs on the USMCA trade agreement. Specifically, you want to provide the Minister with key considerations for the U.S.' position (mainly Democrats) of imposing labour standards on Mexico's labour market (make sure to read Chapter 12's Labour Standards and Trade Negotiations section of your textbook). That is, outline key considerations for the Minister who may need to know whether the U.S. position is beneficial to Mexico and/or Canada and/or the United States.

2. Your briefing note is "For Information Only"; however, ensure that it has a well-developed "Key Considerations" section.

3. Along with your task outline in point 1. above, develop your briefing note "Issue" after reading the article below.

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USMCA Approval Hinges on Mexico's Labor Law, Democrats Say Bloomberg News By Erik Wasson and Nacha Cattan October 8, 2019, 4:53 PM EDT

A group of House Democrats who visited Mexico City on Tuesday said U.S. approval of the stalled U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement hinges on Mexico's full implementation of a new labor law. The five Democratic lawmakers met with Mexican President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador amid intensifying talks with President Donald Trump's administration on getting congressional approval in the coming weeks for the accord known as USMCA. "Our meeting with President Lpez Obrador shed further light on the Mexican government's desire and intentions to carry out its labor justice reform, but the United States needs to see those assurances put into action," Richard Neal, the Massachusetts representative leading USMCA discussions, said in a statement after talks with Democrats want to see that proposed cuts to the Mexican labor department's budget won't affect factory inspections. They also have raised concerns about court challenges to the law, a process that could take years. Neal said he is "eager to see Mexico demonstrate its commitment to implementing the changes necessary to realize its own vision for reform and meet the demanding labor and enforcement standards that will be required by the renegotiated NAFTA," the North American Free Trade Agreement. Democrats and the White House are moving closer to a deal on USMCA despite the impeachment inquiry into Trump. The two sides are working to improve enforcement of the treaty by using arbitration to resolve disputes, though they haven't resolved penalties to address violations of new labor requirements. 'Path to Yes' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Democrats want to be on a "path to yes" on USMCA and that the party is able to conduct legislative business regardless of the impeachment investigation. Trump has expressed doubt that Democrats can approve the trade pact during the impeachment focus, but his Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has said he hopes it can be done. Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told reporters his country is "reasonably optimistic" Tuesday's gathering will help move the U.S. Congress toward approval of USMCA, according to a recording of the conversation sent by his office. "They were hoping to approve the accord, but didn't understand well how the labor reform would be implemented in Mexico," said Ebrard. "Then they had concerns about court injunctions" in Mexico against improvements, he added. He said the Mexican officials gave assurances that they realize the importance of raising wages and improving labor conditions in their country. Lopez Obrador sent a letter to Pelosi saying he hoped USMCA wouldn't be postponed for too long, because it's important for investment in both countries. Last week, Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Relations Jesus Seade told reporters in Washington that Mexico wants to see a vote by early November so the deal isn't further delayed by the U.S. election next year.