Mexico says it’s willing to talk on sensitive NAFTA issues

MEXICO CITY — Mexico said Wednesday it is willing to talk about tough issues in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which is set to start Aug. 16.

Canada has strongly opposed a U.S. proposal to eliminate bi-national dispute resolution panels in which experts now review decisions to impose tariffs or quotas. But Mexican Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo said he isn’t taking an immediate position on the panels, though he adds that Mexico wants to “modernize” the process.

“I don’t think that when you start negotiations, it does any good to shadow box,” Guajardo said, in refusing to fix an initial position.

Guajardo said Mexico would be willing to put stronger labour and environmental guarantees in the text of NAFTA. The issues were previously relegated to weak “side agreements.”