At the end of three rounds of negotiations on the new NAFTA, trade ministers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico said they are agreed on a chapter dealing with small and medium-sized enterprises, and that they hope to conclude a chapter on competition before the next round, set for Oct. 11–15 in Washington. A tri-national statement did not mention any discussion of agricultural issues, although “meaningful advancements” were cited in five areas, including the competition chapter.
According to the statement, “Canada, the United States, and Mexico remain committed to an accelerated timeline for negotiations,” meaning an agreement by the end of the year. “Of course, there is an enormous amount of work to be done, including on some very difficult and contentious issues,” said U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer in his own statement. “We continue to push for ways that will reduce the U.S. trade deficit. We are committed to a substantial renegotiation that reinvigorates U.S. industry and assures reciprocal market access for American farmers, ranchers, and businesses.”
“The slow pace of the Round 3 talks is being widely blamed on the lack of concrete American proposals — fueled by internal divisions in the U.S. — but there is also grumbling about a lackluster showing by some Canadian negotiators as well,” said the CBC. Mexico’s economy minister said that there will be “substantial challenges” for the upcoming round in Washington and that it was possible negotiations would extend into 2018, reported Reuters.