March 16, 2018
Round seven of the NAFTA talks concluded March 5th in Mexico City with three additional chapters concluded: Good Regulatory Practices, Administration and Publication, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. Work was also completed on sectoral annexes related to chemicals and proprietary food formulas, and substantial progress was made on the Telecommunications and Technical Barriers to Trade chapter. Negotiators also agreed on including an additional chapter on energy.
As negotiations continue, six out of the thirty chapters in the agreement have been concluded. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer stated that he is open “to compromise” on U.S. proposals in hopes of an updated agreement through the current Congress, but is prepared to seek separate agreements with Mexico or Canada if the U.S. walks out of NAFTA.
Round eight of negotiations is expected to be held in Washington in April.
