The seventh round of NAFTA renegotiations concluded Monday in Mexico City as U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and Mexico’s Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo. The goal of negotiations is to update NAFTA to address modern trade issues. Lighthizer recognized that all three countries agree that NAFTA is outdated and hoped they would be able to reach agreement on new issues like digital trade, labor, and environment, intellectual property. He also urged all parties to move more quickly on these issues.
“We have tried to be clear and very specific about what we hope to see in a new NAFTA. We are prepared to work continuously to achieve a breakthrough. I understand that these talks are not easy for anyone. Each of us has our own political concerns. But we are at the point where we have very important decisions to be made. If the political will is there, I am certain that we have a path to a rapid and successful conclusion,” Lighthizer said.
To read the full statement, click or tap here: https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2018/february/statement-ustr-robert-lighthizer