The scandal-tinged defeat of Roy Moore in Alabama’s special Senate election is raising faint hopes that it might embolden some decidedly reluctant Republicans to speak out in support of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Notwithstanding a series of explosive sexual misconduct allegations, Moore had the strong backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, but still lost to Democrat Doug Jones – the first time that party won a seat in Alabama in a quarter century.
Despite Moore’s obvious flaws, his defeat has also been widely seen as a repudiation of Trump’s agenda, which includes tearing up NAFTA if he can’t wring concessions out of Canada and Mexico.
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The Trudeau Liberals have been mounting a full-court press to win support for NAFTA in the U.S., not just in Congress but among businesses as well as state and local governments.
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Schumer: Roy Moore loss means Republican brand is ‘positively toxic’ -
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Roy Moore’s stunning election loss in Alabama -
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Roy Moore accuser celebrates Alabama Senate candidate’s loss -
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Roy Moore supporters gather for prayer following Alabama Senate candidate’s loss -
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Roy Moore’s sister calls Alabama Senate race ‘dirty politics’ -
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Roy Moore not conceding Senate race to Doug Jones -
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‘It’s not over’: Roy Moore not giving up after projected loss for Alabama Senate seat -
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Doug Jones addresses supporters after defeating Roy Moore for Alabama Senate seat -
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Alabama votes: referendum on Roy Moore underway -
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No good outcome for Republicans in Moore vote -
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Republican Roy Moore casts vote in Alabama race with high stakes for Trump -
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Alabama voters head to polls to vote between Roy Moore, Doug Jones for Senate -
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Roy Moore digs in heels on accusers during final rally before vote -
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Roy Moore’s wife debates claims they’re anti-Semetic: ‘One of our attorneys is a Jew’ -
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Many women in Alabama still supporting Roy Moore for Senate
U.S. business groups, including its Chamber of Commerce, have loudly defended NAFTA and urged Trump not to announce a U.S. withdrawal next year.
But the response from American lawmakers has been tepid at best. Capitol Hill is seized with tax reform, and some Republicans don’t want to ignite a war with their hair-trigger, Twitter-friendly president or risk offending Trump supporters in their core base.
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