WASHINGTON — President Trump effectively blew up negotiations with Democratic leaders over a plan to rebuild the nation’s highways, airports and other infrastructure on Tuesday night, insisting that they put the idea aside until Congress approves a new trade pact with Mexico and Canada. The surprise demand came on the eve of a White House meeting scheduled for Wednesday at which Mr. Trump was to host Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, to discuss a construction package he has targeted at as high as $2 trillion. “Before we get to infrastructure, it is my strong view that Congress should first pass the important and popular U.S.M.C.A. trade deal,” Mr. Trump wrote in a letter to Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Schumer, using the initials for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Republicans and Democrats have agreed for years that the country’s bridges, railroads, broadband and other structures are badly fraying and in need of repair and improvement.

Source: New York Times May 22, 2019 02:56 UTC