- Title: Canada, Mexico share 'common interests' in NAFTA talks with US
- Date: 20th November 2017
- Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (NOVEMBER 20, 2017) (REUTERS) NAFTA BANNER AND WATER FEATURE AT HOTEL WHERE RENEGOTIATION TALKS ARE BEING HELD PEOPLE SETTING UP CANADIAN, MEXICAN AND US FLAGS IN HOTEL LOBBY DETAIL ON CANADIAN, MEXICAN AND US FLAGS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN HOTEL LOBBY (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF CANADIAN NAFTA NEGOTIATING GROUP, STEVE VERHEUL, SAYING: "Canada and Mexico are working very closely together, yes. We have a lot of issues in common. We have a lot of interests in common." HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATING ARM OF MEXICO'S CCE BUSINESS LOBBY, MOISES KALACH, WALKING TOWARDS LECTERN IN NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATING ARM OF MEXICO'S CCE BUSINESS LOBBY, MOISES KALACH, SAYING: "The Mexican team is putting up proposals and counter-proposals on the table but the USTR (United States Trade Representation) is not necessarily responding. There are some chapters that could really be advanced or closed but there has not been this willingness to progress from the American team. This is one of the important things that has been reported to us." PICTURE OF CANADIAN, MEXICAN AND US FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATING ARM OF MEXICO'S CCE BUSINESS LOBBY, MOISES KALACH, SAYING: "There shouldn't be a sudden death for the revision of (NAFTA's), but rather a status check every five years. This revision could be as broad as necessary but it does not mean sudden death (for the agreement), which is the most important aspect. This revision could be worked out with adjustments and changes every five years and it could then go to the group of ministers which is already established in NAFTA to be able to make this change." BANNER FOR 5TH ROUND OF NAFTA NEGOTIATIONS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATING ARM OF MEXICO'S CCE BUSINESS LOBBY, MOISES KALACH, SAYING: "There is always the risk (of failure) but the signals are that the process is progressing on the technical side. All sides have come together continue on with their agenda. The head (negotiators) are having meetings and that is progressing well. We have the same risk as before. I think the political issue calmed down a little." CANADA, MEXICAN AND US FLAGS LINED UP IN HOTEL LOBBY NAFTA BANNER IN HOTEL LOBBY, PEOPLE SITTING IN HOTEL LOUNGE
- Embargoed: 4th December 2017 21:35
- Keywords: trade NAFTA renegotiations Mexico Canada USA chief negotiator Steve Verheul negotiator for Mexican business lobby Moises Kalach
- Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Government/Politics,International Trade
- Reuters ID: LVA00178A7JGN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Negotiations in Mexico to update NAFTA have not made much progress on tough U.S. demands that could sink the 1994 trade pact, but the current round of talks is progressing, participants close to the fifth round of talks told media on Monday (November 20).
One sticking point that has emerged in the talks is rules of origin. With the details of the US proposal and Mexican and Canadian counter-proposals to emerge, Canada and Mexico say the proposed new rules of origin from the US are unworkable and would damage the highly-integrated auto industry. Canada's Steve Verheul told media on his way to talks that Mexico City and Ottawa have "common interests" on a number of issues.
The U.S. administration has made demands that the other members say are unacceptable, such as a five-year "sunset" clause and tightening so-called rules of origin to boost the North American content of autos. The head of the international negotiating arm of Mexico's CCE business lobby said there has not been a willingness towards progress from the US team on counter-proposals that have been put on the table by Mexico.
Time is running short to seal a deal by the deadline of end-March 2018. Officials say next year's Mexican presidential election means talks after that date will not be possible. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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