Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 11/22/17


U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer is expressing concern about the “lack of headway” at the conclusion of the fifth round of talks to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Negotiators representing USTR, Mexico and Canada ended the latest round of meetings in Mexico City this week, but Lighthizer – who did not attend – expressed disappointment that the NAFTA partners were unable to meet previously stated U.S. objectives to win reciprocal market access for manufactured goods.

“While we have made progress on some of our efforts to modernize NAFTA, I remain concerned about the lack of headway,” Lighthizer said in a statement. “Thus far, we have seen no evidence that Canada or Mexico are willing to seriously engage on provisions that will lead to a rebalanced agreement. Absent rebalancing, we will not reach a satisfactory result.”

One specific provision on the U.S. wish list for a restructured NAFTA is the elimination of remaining Canadian tariffs on imports of U.S. dairy, poultry and egg products, according to the objectives list released by USTR in July. The next round of talks is scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C., in December, and Lighthizer noted in his statement that he hopes “our partners will come to the table in a serious way so we can see meaningful progress before the end of the year.”

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