Source: Susan Kelly, MEATINGPLACE, 5/29/17



The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has published in the Federal Register a request for comments on negotiating objectives for modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico.

A hearing will be held on June 27 at the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington. Those who want to testify at the hearing must provide written notification and a summary of the testimony by June 12. Written comments also are due by June 12.

The notice lists numerous areas in which USTR is seeking input, including product-specific import or export interests or barriers; economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removing tariffs or non-tariff barriers; customs issues; appropriate modifications to rules of origin; any unwarranted sanitary and phytosanitary measures; barriers to trade in services; digital trade issues and investment issues.

The USTR informed Congress on May 18 that President Donald Trump intends to begin negotiations with Canada and Mexico to update NAFTA. Meat industry groups have called for preserving those components of the agreement that have benefited their constituents.  

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