U. S. to be ‘surgical’ in NAFTA talks

Americans will be careful not to damage beneficial areas, trade boss says, as negotiations loom

OTTAWA — Donald Trump’s trade czar says U.S. negotiators will take a “do-noharm” approach to renegotiating NAFTA amid fears that altering the deal could hurt many American agricultural sectors.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer repeated the remarks several times Thursday as he testified before A House of Representatives committee in Washington.

He insisted he would enter the upcoming talks with the goal of modernizing outdated aspects of the 23-year-old agreement, while protecting gains U.S. farmers and ranchers have been reaping.

“It is very important that we do no harm,” said Lighthizer, who will play a central role in negotiations that could begin as early as mid-August.

“Our very high priority will be making sure that we do not disrupt our sales in agricultural products to either Canada or Mexico.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled he wants to do more than simply tweak the North American Free Trade Agreement, which includes Canada and Mexico.

He’s called for “very big changes” to a pact he’s labelled a disaster, or else he will scrap it once and for all.

NAFTA is a deeply important deal for Canadian businesses, which have been closely following developments in the U.S.

Rep. Jason Smith, a Republican from Missouri, said his constituents blame NAFTA for job losses in places like shoe, bicycle and clothing factories in the state.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin TruNAFTA deau told the New York Times NAFTA had been improved a dozen times over the years. “Canada is far more important to the United States than the United States realizes. I can understand the politics around saying that ‘Oh, we need to improve it, it’s terrible.’

“The facts don’t necessarily bear that out, though. It’s created massive numbers of jobs in both of our economies. It’s created tremendous advantages.”

Earlier this week, Lighthizer said negotiations can begin Aug. 16. He said the U.S. is still discussing the specific start date with its partners.