Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley
Charles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyGOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power The Hill's 12:30 Report: Ginsburg lies in repose Top GOP senators say Hunter Biden's work 'cast a shadow' over Obama Ukraine policy MORE (R-Iowa) said Wednesday that President Trump
Donald John TrumpCensus Bureau intends to wrap up count on Oct. 5 despite judge's order Top House Republican calls for probe of source of NYT Trump tax documents New Yorkers report receiving ballots with wrong name, voter addresses MORE should tread lightly in his effort to persuade Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiAirline industry applauds Democrats for including aid in coronavirus relief package Democrats unveil scaled-down .2T coronavirus relief package Trump tax reveal roils presidential race MORE (D-Calif.) to move forward with a revised version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
“It's very necessary that the president hold his patience, because nothing's going to happen if Pelosi doesn't want it to happen,” Grassley said, referring to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
House Democrats in recent months have engaged in a series of meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer
Robert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerWhiskey, workers and friends caught in the trade dispute crossfire GOP senator warns quick vote on new NAFTA would be 'huge mistake' Pelosi casts doubt on USMCA deal in 2019 MORE to discuss the trade agreement. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal
Richard Edmund NealPoll finds support for independent arbiters resolving 'surprise' medical bills Democrats blast Trump after report reveals he avoided income taxes for 10 years: 'Disgusting' Trump didn't pay income tax for 10 of 15 years before 2016 election: NYT MORE (D-Mass.) said he expects his panel to take up the deal in September or October.Congressional Democrats are seeking changes to aspects of the trade deal — enforcement, environment, labor and pharmaceuticals — before they approve the accord.
Grassley raised concerns that Trump might blow up the trade deal if “some protectionists in the White House want to force the issue.”
“So somebody there in the White House that doesn't have common sense better not push the president to do something erratic,” Grassley said.
In the past, Grassley has threatened to set aside the deal if Trump follows through on certain tariff increases. The Iowa Republican successfully pressured the White House to strike a deal lowering steel and aluminum tariffs on Mexico.
