OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:35 AM PT — Fri. March 16, 2018
Mexico’s top economy minister is pushing for NAFTA renegotiations to move quickly.
On Thursday, Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal urged the other countries to make a deal by Monday, April 30, so it could be ratified before elections bring in a new set of lawmakers in Mexico and the U.S.
Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal speaks during a press conference regarding the seventh round of NAFTA renegotiations in Mexico City, Monday, March 5, 2018. (AP Photo / Marco Ugarte)
He also says Canada and Mexico would be prepared to negotiate their own deal if the United States pulled out.
President Trump floated that idea again Wednesday, but his new economic adviser seemed ready to reupholster the deal as is.
Polls show a majority in Mexico remain in favor of free trade.
“If the negotiating isn’t wrapped up by April, which is probable, then it would have to be considered by the next United States Congress and the next Mexican Senate,” stated Villarreal. “This creates variables for what type of agreement it will be.”
Canada has expressed willingness to speed up the process of coming to an agreement as has the U.S. Trade representative.