On Friday, Aug. 31, President Donald Trump sent a letter to the leaders of Congress alerting them of the impending trade deal with Mexico and his intent to sign it. The agreement announcement, covered in last week’s paper, was the result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation process begun over a year ago.
According to both Trump and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the agreement will benefit American workers and farmers. However, the details of this agreement have not been made available and no specific date for its public presentation has been given. USTR Robert Lighthizer said in a prepared statement on Aug. 31 that the text of the agreement will be made available to “Congress and cleared advisors from civil society and the private sector” in the next few weeks. The stated goal for completing the bilateral agreement is Nov. 30.
Both Trump and Lighthizer mentioned that the U.S.-Mexico deal will also be open to Canada in official statements. However, during the congratulatory call with Mexican President Enrique Peсa Nieto and then later in a Sept. 1 tweet, Trump repeatedly cast doubt on the possibility of Canada rejoining the agreement. Discussions with Canadian trade negotiators continued last week, but no decision had been reached as of press time.
