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NAFTA round 4 talks end with “significant conceptual gaps”

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is disappointed with the lack of progress in the 4^th round of NAFTA renegotiations.  He says the goals for the U.S. are to modernize the 23-year-old agreement for the modern economy and reduce trade deficits.  “Frankly, I am surprised and disappointed by the resistance to change from our negotiating partners on both fronts.”

After the round concluded Tuesday, Lighthizer says Mexico and Canada are reluctant to give up existing unfair advantages.  He also criticized their reversal on certain trade language.  “We have sometimes seen a refusal to what is clearly the best text available, in spite of the countries having agreed to it in the past.  In certain cases, partners who agreed to TPP have actually rejected its text here.”

Lighthizer, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland issued a joint statement Tuesday.  They said there were “significant conceptual gaps” to resolve.  During their individual comments, Freeland emphasized they should not turn the clock back.  Lighthizer emphasized President Trump’s goals of modernizing the agreement and cutting trade deficits.

NAFTA negotiations will continue in Mexico during November.  Senior trade officials now predict negotiations will go into next year.