TRADE

On May 19, the Trump Administration formally gave notice to Congress that they will be renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This notification kicked off a 90-day consultation process formally structured under Trade Promotion Authority. TPA is a legislative procedure that allows Congress to define U.S. negotiating objectives and outlines oversight and consultation process for trade negotiations.  At the conclusion of negotiations, TPA allows Congress to give the FTA an up or down vote of approval.

As part of TPA, the Office of the United States Trade Representative put out a Federal Register notice asking for public comment on the modernization of NAFTA. ASTA submitted comments to USTR on June 12 and also submitted in-depth comments through a large coalition of agricultural groups called the Dialogue for Food and Agriculture Trade.

The 90-day consultation period formally concludes on August 16, which will also be the day the first round of NAFTA renegotiation talks begin. The first round will be held August 16-20 in Washington, D.C., and it is reported the second round will be held in Mexico City September 1-5.