US outlines priorities for NAFTA negotiations, API see benefits of modernization
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The United States on Monday outlined its priorities for renegotiating the NAFTA trade agreement and said it would focus on ensuring better access for US goods exported to Canada and Mexico in order to reduce the US trade deficit.
In the document sent to Congress for revamping the North American Free Trade Agreement, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the administration would strive to eliminate unfair subsidies and market-distorting trade practices.
"Too many Americans have been hurt by closed factories, exported jobs, and broken political promises," Lighthizer said in a statement. "Under President Trump’s leadership, USTR will negotiate a fair deal."
API President and CEO Jack Gerard was pleased to see the administration’s recommendations for modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) seek to preserve and strengthen North American energy markets and its benefits for consumers.
“NAFTA provides a strong foundation for the energy flows that occur between the US, Canada and Mexico,” said Gerard. "We applaud this administration’s willingness to consider ways to improve North American energy markets that are already providing enormous benefits to the US economy and consumers. The US is now the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the world, and this coupled with enhanced energy integration with Canada and Mexico will increase long-term US energy and national security.
“NAFTA has played a critical role in North American energy security by facilitating cross-border trade and investment in energy, supporting millions of US jobs in the oil and natural gas industry, and we encourage the administration and Congress to keep this in mind as they consider possible changes to the agreement.”
API has promoted North American energy integration and the benefits provided to American consumers and businesses. In June, API submitted comments on NAFTA to US Trade Representative Lighthizer highlighting these benefits to the US economy. For instance, NAFTA promotes imports and exports to and from the US, Canada and Mexico—all of which support the 9.8 MM jobs within the US oil and gas industry and reflect 8% of the US economy.
“NAFTA supports US jobs and manufacturing in energy, helps to make energy more affordable for American families, enhances energy security and affordability for US allies, and enables US companies to compete in Canada and gain opportunities for development in Mexico,” continued Gerard. “Preserving these benefits is critical, and that includes supporting key provisions like a strong Investor State Dispute Settlement mechanism to protect US companies and ensure they receive fair and equitable treatment. As the process gets underway, we look forward to working with the administration and Congress to continue the US energy renaissance.”
Reporting by Lesley Wroughton
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