Canada's Freeland Hails Mexico NAFTA Concessions

Concessions made by Mexico in the negotiations to update NAFTA with the U.S. were labeled as "major" by Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland as she came out of a session with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington."The fact that Mexico was able to do something that I think must have been quite difficult for Mexico and make those concessions does really set the stage for some productive conversations here this week," Freeland remarked.The deal cut by the U.S. and Mexico on auto rules of content and a requirement that auto parts be made by workers earning at least $16 per hour were called "significant" by Freeland."These concessions really are going to be valuable for workers in Canada and in the United States who have been concerned for some time about their jobs going to lower-wage jurisdictions."Freeland was to meet with Mexican Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo later Tuesday and return for another session with Lighthizer Wednesday, but did not say whether that session would include Guajardo.