Talks to renegotiate the
North American Free Trade Agreement are at a “much better point,” according to
trade officials from Mexico. Speaking at the conclusion of the latest round of
talks held in Canada, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said:
"we finally began to discuss the core issues." All three sides agreed
to language governing anti-corruption during the latest round, while making progress
on customs and food sanitation issues. However, two of the biggest issues, auto
trade and a sunset clause, remain. Some speculate that the trade agreement
renegotiation effort will stretch into the upcoming Mexican election cycle, a
timeline that negotiators had hoped to avoid. Farmers for Free Trade, a
bipartisan campaign focusing on NAFTA, says it is "heartening" to see
progress but notes that further delays create more uncertainty for U.S.
farmers. Lighthizer said Monday that the U.S. is “committed to moving forward”
with the renegotiation effort. Two more rounds are scheduled, one in Mexico
next month, and a hopeful final round in Washington, D.C. in March.
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