Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 12/12/18

The president's chief trade negotiator might not be fully behind his threat to withdraw from NAFTA. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, in a recent meeting with Democratic lawmakers on the Hill, privately cast doubt on the effectiveness of the strategy Trump has said he will play — intended to pressure Congress to accept the so-called U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Lighthizer indicated he wants a more constructive relationship between the White House and Congress, which is expected to vote on Trump's signature trade achievement in 2019. Many Democrats have suggested they won't support the USMCA without changes to strengthen labor and environmental standards and enforcement.

"It was implied that Lighthizer might disagree with using the threat of withdrawal as a negotiating tactic, but that wasn't said directly," according to one source familiar with the exchange. Pro Trade's Adam Behsudi had the scoop Tuesday.