President Donald Trump has announced that
the U.S and Mexico have reached a preliminary accord to replace North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with a deal that the
administration wants to be more favourable to the United
States.
the U.S and Mexico have reached a preliminary accord to replace North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with a deal that the
administration wants to be more favourable to the United
States.
Trump said the tentative agreement is called “the United States-Mexico Trade Agreement’’.
Trump has frequently condemned the 24-year-old NAFTA trade pact as a job-killing “disaster” for the United States.
Still, any new agreement is far from final.
The administration still needs to negotiate with the third partner in NAFTA, Canada, to become part of any new trade accord.
Without Canada, America’s No. 2 trading
partner, it’s unclear whether any new U.S. trade agreement with Mexico
would be possible.
partner, it’s unclear whether any new U.S. trade agreement with Mexico
would be possible.
The president said that he will be calling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“If they’d like to negotiate fairly, we’ll do that,” Trump said.
Trump put pressure on Canada by threatening to tax Canadian auto imports and to leave Canada out of a new regional trade bloc.
NAFTA reduced most trade barriers between
the three countries. But Trump and other critics say it encouraged U.S.
manufacturers to move south of the border to exploit low-wage Mexican
labour.
the three countries. But Trump and other critics say it encouraged U.S.
manufacturers to move south of the border to exploit low-wage Mexican
labour.
Talks to overhaul the agreement began a year ago and have proved contentious.
U.S. and Mexican negotiators worked over the weekend to narrow their differences. The Office of the U.S.
Trade Representative said that Mexico had
agreed to ensure that 75 per cent of automotive content be produced
within the trade bloc (up from a current 62.5 per cent) to receive
duty-free benefits and that 40 per cent to 45 per
cent be made by workers earning at least $16 an hour.
agreed to ensure that 75 per cent of automotive content be produced
within the trade bloc (up from a current 62.5 per cent) to receive
duty-free benefits and that 40 per cent to 45 per
cent be made by workers earning at least $16 an hour.
It remains unclear where Monday’s announcement leaves Canada.
Adam Austen, a spokesman for Canadian
Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, said: “Canada is encouraged by the
continued optimism shown by our negotiating partners. Progress between
Mexico and the United States is a necessary requirement
for any renewed NAFTA agreement.”
Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, said: “Canada is encouraged by the
continued optimism shown by our negotiating partners. Progress between
Mexico and the United States is a necessary requirement
for any renewed NAFTA agreement.”
Austen said the Canadians had been regular contact with the NAFTA negotiators.
“We will only sign a new NAFTA that is
good for Canada and good for the middle class,” he said, adding that
“Canada’s signature is required.”
good for Canada and good for the middle class,” he said, adding that
“Canada’s signature is required.”
The No. 2 Senate Republican, John Cornyn
of Texas, hailed the “positive step” but said Canada needs to be party
to a final deal. “A trilateral agreement is the best path forward,” he
said, adding that millions of jobs are at stake.
of Texas, hailed the “positive step” but said Canada needs to be party
to a final deal. “A trilateral agreement is the best path forward,” he
said, adding that millions of jobs are at stake.
