US, Mexico, Canada talk NAFTA changes

MEXICO CITY: Delegates from the on Tuesday wrapped up a fifth round of talks on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement -- but pushed off some of the thornier issues to later meetings.

Their efforts, this time held in - ing their NAFTA pact enough to head off US President Donald Trump’s threats to scrap it.

The latest round focused on trade remedies, rules of origin and matters related to agriculture, - tor, Kenneth Smith, told reporters.

going to be left for the following meetings,” he said.

Various US proposals were put on the table, as were some questions were raised in other areas, Smith explained.

that are unacceptable” were put forward regarding rules of origin in the automobile industry, he said.

The US wants to see domestic US components in cars rise to 50 percent,

Trump, who espouses an in particular as a “disaster” for American jobs and prosperity.

“I’ve been opposed to NAFTA for a long time,” Trump said last month, as he hosted Canadian the White House.

“If we can’t make a deal, it’ll be terminated and that will be fine,” he said.

The US Chamber of Commerce and other business voices, howev the US economy in its 23 years of existence. Trade has tripled in that time, and withdrawal could badly hurt American farmers.

is vital, as 80 percent of its exports go to the United States.

Negotiations on changing the accord are expected to go on into early next year.