Canada, Mexico and the United States “are committed to an accelerated and comprehensive negotiation process” to write the new NAFTA, according to a joint statement from the three countries at the conclusion of a session in Washington. The second round of talks will be Sept. 1-5 in Mexico.
“Negotiations will continue at this rapid pace, moving to Canada in late September and returning to the United States in October, with additional rounds being planned for the remainder of the year,” said the statement.
According to the statement, negotiators discussed two dozen topics during the five-day session in Washington. “Detailed conceptual presentations were made … across the scope of the agreement, and negotiating groups began work to advance text and agreed to provide additional text, comments or alternate proposals during the next two weeks.”
U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer opened the negotiations with a call for a major overhaul of the 1994 free trade agreement. Canada and Mexico suggested smaller revisions were appropriate. U.S. farm groups, who enjoy duty-free access to their North American neighbors, have asked U.S. negotiators to avoid disruptions in farm and food trade.