CEO DATELINE — Industry associations cautiously welcome U.S.-Mexico trade accord
CEO DATELINE — Industry associations cautiously welcome U.S.-Mexico trade accord
- August 28, 2018 |
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WILLIAM EHART
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Business groups responded positively to President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States and Mexico had reached an understanding on revising the North American Free Trade Agreement. But they stressed the importance of Canada's involvement even as Trump indicated his willingness to go forward without that country and cease calling the accord "NAFTA."
"Today's announcement is a step in the right direction. It is a positive signal that some form of NAFTA will survive," Jay Timmons, CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, said in a statement. "Because of the massive amount of movement of goods between the three countries and the integration of operations which make manufacturing in our country more competitive, it is imperative that a trilateral agreement be inked."
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said in a statement that it is "pleased to hear that the U.S. and Mexico have reached a consensus on several issues, including automotive rules of origin, and we look forward to learning more."
"Automakers urge the U.S. and Mexico to quickly re-engage with Canada to continue to build on this progress," the group said.
Similarly, the American Trucking Associations sounded an optimistic note on the agreement but called for Canadian involvement.
"We commend President Trump and his team of negotiators on reaching a tentative agreement with Mexico," ATA CEO Chris Spear said in a statement. "We look forward to productive work with our partners in Canada and examining this new agreement in detail."
Part of the new consensus with Mexico regards e-commerce—which was nascent when NAFTA became effective in 1994—a move welcomed by the Internet Association in a statement.
"The internet industry is optimistic about the potential of a new NAFTA that will, for the first time, recognize the internet as an important U.S. export," Internet Association Director of Trade and International Policy Jordan Haas said. "We look forward to Canada rejoining the talks and bringing a modernized NAFTA across the finish line."
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