Trump wants ‘massive’ NAFTA changes
•U.S. President Donald Trump says he’s ready to start a maj or renegotiation of t he North American Free Trade Agreement, now that his tradecz ar is poised to achieve along-awaited confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
The upper chamber voted 81-15 to impose closure Thursday on the nomination of Robert Lighthizer, which indicates that after a few more days of debate he’ ll almost certainly win a final vote and be in place next week.
The president said in an interview with Britian’s The Economist that he intends to proceed quickly thereafter: Trump intends to file a 90- day notice with Congress, work with it on negotiating priorities, and start talks with Canada and Mexico later this year.
“The clock starts ticking (with Lighthizer’s confirmation),” Trump told the magazine.
The administration has begun signalling t hat it wants significant changes in a range of areas, including dairy, lumber, automobiles, pharmaceuticals and the dispute- resolution system.
Trump interjected when an interviewer suggested it sounds like he wants a big renegotiation.
“Big isn’t a good enough word,” the president replied. “Massive.”
But that desire for a “massive” renegotiation is butting up against the mundane realities of the political calendar.
The United States and Mexico have both expressed a desire to get a deal by early next year, before the Mexican presidential election — but few observers believe a substantive renegotiation is possible within a few months.