Trilateral Statement on the Conclusion of the Fifth Round of NAFTA Negotiations

Yesterday in Mexico City, the negotiating teams of Mexico, Canada and the United States concluded the fifth round of the renegotiation and modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), gathering nearly 30 negotiating groups. In response to ministerial instructions at the end of the fourth round, chief negotiators concentrated on making progress with the aim of narrowing gaps and finding solutions. As a result, progress was made in a number of chapters. Chief negotiators reaffirmed their commitment to moving forward in all areas of the negotiations, in order to conclude negotiations as soon as possible. Ministers have agreed to hold the sixth round of negotiations from January 23 to 28, 2018, in Montréal, Canada. In the meantime, negotiators will continue their work in intersessional meetings in Washington, D.C., through mid-December and will report back to chief negotiators on the progress achieved.