ZCZC
BCN-36
MEXICO-BUSINESS-NAFTA-DEAL
NAFTA deal possible in August, says Mexican business group
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 2, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – The renegotiation of the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could be concluded in August, said
Gustavo De Hoyos, president of the Mexican Employers Confederation, on
Wednesday.
The negotiating teams from Canada, the United States and Mexico are “more
revved up” and ready to wrap up the talks that began almost a year ago, De
Hoyos told reporters on the sidelines of an official event.
“Technically, with political will, the deal could be closed this month,”
said De Hoyos, an adviser to the Mexican negotiating delegation.
Mexico’s ministers of foreign affairs, Luis Videgaray, and economy,
Ildefonso Guajardo, traveled to Washington on Wednesday, where talks will
resume on Thursday.
“I believe there will be a trilateral agreement,” De Hoyos said. “There is
reasonable optimism that the negotiations are moving forward.”
NAFTA talks began in August last year. U.S. President Donald Trump has
criticized the 1994 agreement, saying it unfairly benefits Mexico at the
expense of U.S. industry, and threatened to withdraw from the trade deal
unless U.S. demands are met.
BSS/XINHUA/HR/1220