http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nafta-renegotiation-congress-1.4121341
90-day consultation period required under U.S. rules before talks with Canada, Mexico can begin
By Janyce McGregor, CBC News Posted: May 18, 2017 11:18 AM ET Last Updated: May 18, 2017 12:10 PM ET
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a 'massive' renegotiation of NAFTA. On Tuesday, U.S. media reports said the Trump administration has written to Congress, officially triggering the 90-day consultation period required before renegotiations can start. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press)
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Robert Lighthizer, who was finally confirmed Monday as the United States trade representative, wrote to Congressional leaders in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to officially give notice that President Donald Trump intends to initiate negotiations "regarding modernization" of NAFTA.
The letter says the Americans intend to initiate talks "as soon as practicable," but no earlier than 90 days from this notice, as required by current U.S. trade law. That means the earliest Canada's negotiators could be sitting down with their counterparts to discuss their opening positions would be Aug. 16.
A copy of the letter obtained by U.S. media cites the need to update chapters that "do not reflect modern standards," and mentions digital trade as being only in its infancy when NAFTA was negotiated in the early nineties.
It mentions the need for new provisions to "address intellectual property rights, regulatory practices, state-owned enterprises, services, customs procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, labour, environment and small and medium enterprises."
Lighthizer's department is not required to publish its specific negotiating objectives until 30 days before the start of talks, meaning precise details about what the U.S. wants to update or add in a reworking of the agreement may not be confirmed until July.
Before issuing Thursday's letter, Lighthizer held two days of meetings with congressional committees this week, as also required by U.S. trade rules.
'Important juncture': Freeland
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement that the three-month notice period "has long been anticipated" as part of the U.S. process.
No formal consultation is required under Canadian law, but Freeland said the government has been consulting closely with "the provinces and territories, industry, unions, civil society, think-tanks, academics, Indigenous peoples, women, youth and the general public."
"This will enable us to assess what matters most to Canadians and to advance our interests," the statement said.
"We are at an important juncture that offers us an opportunity to determine how we can best align NAFTA to new realities — and integrate progressive, free and fair approaches to trade and investment."
Steve Verheul, the chief negotiator for Canada's new trade agreement with the European Union, is expected to play a central role in the NAFTA talks.
90-day consultation period required under U.S. rules before talks with Canada, Mexico can begin
By Janyce McGregor, CBC News Posted: May 18, 2017 11:18 AM ET Last Updated: May 18, 2017 12:10 PM ET
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a 'massive' renegotiation of NAFTA. On Tuesday, U.S. media reports said the Trump administration has written to Congress, officially triggering the 90-day consultation period required before renegotiations can start. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press)
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Robert Lighthizer, who was finally confirmed Monday as the United States trade representative, wrote to Congressional leaders in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to officially give notice that President Donald Trump intends to initiate negotiations "regarding modernization" of NAFTA.
The letter says the Americans intend to initiate talks "as soon as practicable," but no earlier than 90 days from this notice, as required by current U.S. trade law. That means the earliest Canada's negotiators could be sitting down with their counterparts to discuss their opening positions would be Aug. 16.
- With his new trade representative in place, Trump eyes 'massive' NAFTA changes
- Mexico and Canada 'in this together' on NAFTA, amid Trump uncertainty
- Trump to give NAFTA talks a 'good, strong shot' after Trudeau warns of risks
A copy of the letter obtained by U.S. media cites the need to update chapters that "do not reflect modern standards," and mentions digital trade as being only in its infancy when NAFTA was negotiated in the early nineties.
It mentions the need for new provisions to "address intellectual property rights, regulatory practices, state-owned enterprises, services, customs procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, labour, environment and small and medium enterprises."
Lighthizer's department is not required to publish its specific negotiating objectives until 30 days before the start of talks, meaning precise details about what the U.S. wants to update or add in a reworking of the agreement may not be confirmed until July.
Before issuing Thursday's letter, Lighthizer held two days of meetings with congressional committees this week, as also required by U.S. trade rules.
'Important juncture': Freeland
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement that the three-month notice period "has long been anticipated" as part of the U.S. process.
No formal consultation is required under Canadian law, but Freeland said the government has been consulting closely with "the provinces and territories, industry, unions, civil society, think-tanks, academics, Indigenous peoples, women, youth and the general public."
"This will enable us to assess what matters most to Canadians and to advance our interests," the statement said.
"We are at an important juncture that offers us an opportunity to determine how we can best align NAFTA to new realities — and integrate progressive, free and fair approaches to trade and investment."
Steve Verheul, the chief negotiator for Canada's new trade agreement with the European Union, is expected to play a central role in the NAFTA talks.
