First Round of NAFTA Talks Indicate Dedication to 'Ambitious Outcome', Joint Statement Says
The “scope and volume” of textual proposals during the first round of NAFTA renegotiations indicate that all three member countries are committed to an “ambitious outcome,” as negotiating groups started working to advance text and agreed to provide additional text, comments or alternate proposals during the next two weeks, the NAFTA countries said in an Aug. 20 joint statement. Mexico will host the second round Sept. 1-5, and negotiators will continue domestic consultations and work to advance text through August, the joint statement says. “Negotiations will continue at this rapid pace, moving to Canada in late September and returning to the United States in October, with additional rounds being planned for the remainder of the year,” the statement reads. “While a great deal of effort and negotiation will be required in the coming months, Canada, Mexico and the United States are committed to an accelerated and comprehensive negotiation process that will upgrade our agreement and establish 21st century standards to the benefit of our citizens.”
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In addition to negotiations, officials from the U.S., Mexico and Canada engaged a “wide range” of stakeholders, including the private sector, industry associations, labor groups, legislative representatives and state/provincial officials, the governments said. All three countries made “detailed conceptual presentations … across the scope of the agreement,” the statement says. Negotiators discussed paths forward for customs and telecommunications proposals during the first round (see 1708180044).