Lawmakers in Mexico this week took a step towards implementing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. 

Mexico’s Senate approved a bill that overhauls the country’s labor code. 

 

The move was a pre-condition for U.S. Democrats in the House of Representatives for considering the agreement. 

Bloomberg News reports Mexican lawmakers raced to pass the bill before the end of their session Tuesday to allow their counterparts in the U.S. to take up discussion of the trade deal. 

 

Mexico’s Senate voted 120-0 in favor of the bill that was previously passed by the nation’s lower chamber. 

The bill gives workers the right to vote on unions and labor contracts through secret ballots. 

 

However, to complete USMCA, other conditions remain, including the desired removal of section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico. 

Canada has hinted that the nation may not approve USMCA until the tariffs are removed. 

U.S. lawmakers are expected to consider the trade agreement later this year.