High-level talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are set to resume Thursday in Washington, D.C., between negotiators from the United States and Mexico. Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland is not scheduled to attend the meeting, leading many to believe that a deal with Mexico will be struck first by the end of August. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, also hinted at a possibility President Donald Trump has raised that the U.S. could conclude a deal with Mexico before it wraps up with Canada.

"My hope is that we will before very long have a conclusion with respect to Mexico, and that as a result of that Canada will come in, and we can compromise," Lighthizer continued, adding that he felt Ottawa so far has not compromised the way Washington and Mexico City have.

“Issues important to the dairy industry are still on the table in the talks,” said Beth Hughes, IDFA senior director of international affairs. “We are repeatedly stressing to administration officials and negotiators that maintaining market access in Mexico, as well as addressing the Canada’s Class 7 milk pricing policy, is essential for the U.S. dairy industry.”

US, Mexico Leaders Make Progress

President Donald Trump on Monday said he and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the president-elect of Mexico, are planning something “very dramatic, very positive for both countries” regarding NAFTA.

The discussion followed a letter the incoming Mexican president sent earlier this month to President Trump, calling for Canada and the United States to join Mexico in concluding talks on the trilateral trade agreement.

Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO, serves as a cleared advisor to negotiators and advocates for solutions to NAFTA that address the issues most important to the industry.

For more information, contact Hughes at bhughes@idfa.org.