Mexico's Negotiator Says Its NAFTA Discussions With US Could Finish This Week

The U.S. and Mexico appear to be nearing some kind of agreement on NAFTA, Jesus Seade, a trade negotiator who represents Mexico's president-elect, told reporters Aug. 22. "It could be we finish everything between the U.S. and Mexico this week, but it doesn't have to be," he said after meeting with U.S. negotiators. "I always say don't rush it." One time consideration is the Dec. 1 start date for Mexico's incoming president. A deal would likely need to be struck by the end of next week in order to meet Mexican review requirements for something to be finalized before the change in administration.

Asked about how a NAFTA deal could be finalized in coming weeks without having Canada at the table, Seade said U.S. discussions with Canada can overlap as the U.S. and Mexico finalize the details in their bilateral talks. "We're working on the last points," he said in Spanish. "They are difficult." Seade said his expectation is "we'll be OK." Still, "nothing has officially closed because we want to have a balance."

The previous day, Seade disputed a report in the Wall Street Journal that the next Mexican government wants the draft language of an energy chapter changed in NAFTA. After he left a meeting with the U.S. trade representative Aug. 21, he responded to a question from a reporter on whether there's a difference of opinion on energy. "Not at all," he said, and added: "It's a very important sector for us, but what we want is, basically, for the constitution to be respected and have clarity that everything in the agreement is consistent [with it], and that's it." He also said in Spanish: "There's a little discussion on the questions; however, we are supporting what has been negotiated," he said.

President Donald Trump met with top labor officials at the White House on Aug. 21. When asked by International Trade Today if there are discussions around making labor protections an enforceable part of the agreement, he said no. "In general, labor is an area that has been in the negotiations, but no particular drama about it, or special angles."