Despite Frayed US-Mexico Relations, Mexican Official Optimistic for NAFTA Deal
The No. 2 official at the Mexican Embassy in the U.S. said that while populist statements about the border have adversely affected the U.S.-Mexico relationship, there's optimism that NAFTA negotiations will be successful. Ambassador Jose Antonio Zabalgoitia, deputy chief of mission, said "we have been reminded that good neighbors can't be taken for granted," speaking June 13 at a Wilson Center event on the U.S.-Mexico border. "Truly the tariffs on steel and aluminum haven't helped the overall environment, the atmosphere of the trade talks," he said, but negotiations continue.
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The Canadian ambassador also expressed optimism this week, speaking to trade professionals at the DHL Forum on June 12. With regard to NAFTA, David MacNaughton said its advocates should be more aspirational than just seeking to do no harm.
"I think we're going to go through a rough patch for a while," he said, adding said sometimes "difficult squabbles" are what it takes to get serious about getting a deal done right.
"Whether that's next week, next month, or next year, I am optimistic" about achieving a modernized NAFTA, he said.
Zabaloitia lauded the recent memoranda of understanding on unified cargo processing and on agriculture inspections. "These two agreements would not be possible if we had not reached a certain amount of cooperation," he said. Institution building was a necessary precursor, he said, and Mexico and the U.S. can claim "one of the most advanced technologically, the most cooperative" borders in the world. He suggested that this is particularly impressive given that few countries share such a long border that have such disparate levels of economic development.
Zabalgoitia said the challenges that the U.S. and Mexico face in managing crime across the border can be tackled cooperatively and productively as long as the conversations "are always based on mutual respect." The ambassador, and many other speakers at the event, said NAFTA proponents failed to communicate the benefits of the agreement over the last 25 years while its opponents continued to talk about a simple message -- that companies seized on cheaper labor in Mexico, and American manufacturing declined as a result.
Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, said his older brother asked him: "Why should I care about NAFTA?" Hurd said he replied: "Do you drink beer?" His brother said yes. "Do you want to drink more expensive beer?" His brother said no. "Well, you should care about NAFTA." Hurd said the way trade has burst into the political limelight this year has not been easy for free trade advocates like him. "Even though it's uncomfortable, and it feels like we're not learning from this, I feel we're increasing the common body of knowledge."