Mexico says the United States and Mexico aim to reach the Nafta agreement by the end of August

July 18, 2018 6:38 pm. AND
MEXICO – US and Mexican officials have agreed to intensify negotiations for the redrafting of the North American Free Trade Agreement with a view to reaching a preliminary agreement by the end of August, announced Wednesday the Mexican Minister of Economy

. a technical perspective, but politically, you need the flexibility of all parties "

Ildefonso Guajardo,

In 1965, at a meeting of the White House cabinet, US President Trump declared that he had had a "good session" with Mexico over NAFTA, which he repeatedly criticized as unfair. He also said that the United States could enter into separate agreements with Mexico and Canada, suggesting that the goal of the US a preliminary agreement on NAFTA at the end of the month of August would always be questioned at the White House

. Guajardo plans to meet the US Trade Representative

Robert Lighthizer

in Washington on July 26 to address Nafta's blocking points such as content rules for the automotive sector and mechanisms to resolve trade disputes. Canada will also join the negotiations, Guajardo said, but he has not provided specific dates for a new round of talks between the three countries.

The idea would be to reach a preliminary agreement by August 25, since the US Congress requires 90 days for approval and a new administration takes over in Mexico on 1 December, Mr. Guajardo told Radio Fórmula Station

.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador,

a left-wing nationalist who won the July 1 election by a landslide, expressed support for Mr. Guajardo's position in the negotiations with the United States and Canada and said that he would be in favor of a new agreement before taking office

. US level delegation that included state secretary

Mike Pompeo,

treasury secretary

Steven Mnuchin

and counselor of the White House

Jared Kushner

held separate meetings in Mexico City last week with Mr López Obrador and the outgoing President

Enrique Peña Nieto.

Negotiations to reorganize the Nafta were delayed in mid-May. Trade tensions increased in June as the US imposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada, provoking retaliation for US exports

After the Mexican presidential elections, US leaders agreed to restart the talks. with Canada and Mexico, Mr. Guajardo reiterated Mexico's position that he will not pursue a bilateral treaty with the United States

"If the United States wants to move to a bilateral agreement, its domestic rules will delay too much bargaining, since "There is value on the Nafta label, and it's North American integration," added Mr. Guajardo

Technically, did he says, an agreement is possible within the next 45 days The challenge is for parties to be politically flexible on topics that are "inherently toxic to a trade deal," he said.

Write to Santiago Pérez at [email protected]