LexSage

Managing the 2017 Nafta Challenge

May 15, 2017
Author:  Heather D. Innes, Counsel to LexSage

President Trump’s campaign promise to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) will soon be formally underway. In fact, in Mexico the process began on February 1, 2017, as the Mexican government announced a 90 day consultation period with representatives of the domestic industry to discuss and agree on the main concerns and proposals from all relevant sectors.  Ever since, the Mexican Ministry of Economy and CONCAMIN have established the so-called “Cuarto de Junto” (Room Next Door) with government and industry representatives. Among the sectors that have demonstrated more interest in participating are: automotive, agricultural and chemicals. It is known that the Mexican government and industry intend to take into consideration the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s (“TPP”) provisions under NAFTA re-negotiation, to include or broaden certain chapters such as E-commerce, anti-bribery, transparency, competitiveness, environment, IP, and trade facilitation, among others.