NAFTA Negotiators Wade Turbulent Waters In New Round Of Talks

By Jorge Valencia
August 31, 2017

The U.S., Mexico and Canada will enter the second round of negotiations for the North American Trade Free Trade Agreement on Friday.

The negotiations are somewhat turbulent right now. President Trump tweeted over the weekend that Mexico and Canada are being very difficult and that he's considering withdrawing altogether.

That puts negotiators in a dangerous position because the deal has benefited the three countries, said Erik Lee of the North American Research Partnership.

"Potential job losses in Mexico mean potential job losses in places like Tennessee, the Midwest, industrialized Northeast,” Lee said. “A move against one part of the supply chain in one country can have significant effects on parts of the supply chain in the other two countries."

Mexican officials say they want to continue trade talks — just not over social media.