U.S. and Mexico Nearing Nafta Car Deal, Sources Say
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...re-said-to-be-nearing-deal-in-nafta-car-talks
The U.S. and Mexico are in the final stages of negotiating a deal on rules for cars sold under Nafta, one of the biggest sticking points in discussions to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement, according to five people familiar with the talks.
The two sides have exchanged new proposals for the auto industry, and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo is scheduled to travel to Washington on Thursday for meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, his second visit in as many weeks, according to two of the people who asked not to be identified discussing private negotiations. The people declined to discuss the content of the proposals and said that no agreement has yet been reached.
Mexico in May told the U.S. that it could be flexible on automotive wages and content, including acceptance of a requirement that at least 20 percent of a car’s value would come from higher-paid workers, in exchange for President Donald Trump’s negotiators withdrawing some of their other tougher demands. At the time, Lighthizer said the proposal wasn’t enough for the U.S., which had previously demanded that 40 percent of a car, and 45 percent of trucks, be made by workers earning wages of at least $16 per hour.
Offers on regional content weren’t that far apart. While Mexico was willing to accept 70 percent of car components coming from Nafta countries, up from the current 62.5 percent, the U.S. called for 75 percent. Trump has threatened to impose sweeping new tariffs on imported vehicles in a possible attempt to pressure Mexico and Canada into striking a deal that would help drive manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
Emily Davis, a spokeswoman for Lighthizer, declined to comment on the automotive negotiations. The press office of Mexico’s economy ministry didn’t immediately comment.
The peso pared losses as the report fueled optimism about a Nafta deal.
Canada Left Out
The talks have taken on a largely two-nation format, with Canada
rebuffed in recent attempts to engage with Lighthizer, according to three other people with knowledge of the talks, who also asked not to be named. The Canadian negotiating team led by Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland has been told that the U.S. is focusing on negotiations with Mexico and isn’t interested in engaging with Canada at the moment, according to the people.
Davis said Lighthizer “has great respect for Minister Freeland and considers her a good friend,” pointing out that the Nafta negotiations have had both bilateral and trilateral meetings over the past year.
“In every meeting arrangement, the United States is focused on completing the best possible trade deal as quickly as we can,” Davis said in an emailed response to questions.
