No cutoff to finish NAFTA talks as U.S. hunts for best deal: Trump’s trade czar
OTTAWA — President Donald Trump’s point person on trade says the administration’s top priority is locking down the best deal possible for the U.S. in the upcoming NAFTA renegotiation— and therefore it has no deadline to complete the talks.
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told the Senate finance committee Wednesday that while he wants to move as quickly as possible, sealing a “very high-standard” agreement is of far greater importance.
Lighthizer said his pursuit of quality over speed during the renegotiation of the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement means he has set no deadline — not even an artificial one.
His remarks come as the administration faces political and corporate pressure to wrap up NAFTA talks with Canada and Mexico as soon as possible.