Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has reached a deal with President Donald Trump to allow ratification of USMCA, the trade pact replacing Nafta whose fate in Congress had been uncertain until this week.

Mrs Pelosi’s announcement yesterday followed months of wrangling with Robert Lighthizer, the US trade representative, and parallel talks with officials in Canada and Mexico to secure changes to the original text. “It’s a victory for America’s workers, it’s one that we take great pride in advancing,” Mrs Pelosi said, flanked by Richard Neal, chair of the House ways and means committee who led the talks for the Democrats. She said the outcome was “infinitely better” than Mr Trump’s original deal.

Congressional ratification of USMCA has been among the highest legislative priorities for Mr Trump, although its prospects have been uncertain.