U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer Informs Congress of Intent to Re-Negotiate NAFTA

On May 18, 2017, the United States Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer [see blog], notified Congress that President Donald Trump intends to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The Office of the United States Trade Representative states that negotiations will begin no earlier than August 16, 2017. The Office will post a notice to the Federal Register “requesting public input on the direction, focus, and content of the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations” [link].

The Office of the United States Trade Representative published the letter sent by Ambassador Lighthizer to congressional leaders [PDF version]. The letter sets forth the stated objective of the NAFTA re-negotiation:

The United States seeks to support higher-paying jobs in the United States and to grow the U.S. economy by improving U.S. opportunities under NAFTA.

Although NAFTA is a broad agreement, many of its provisions affect immigration categories. For example, please see our article on the TN nonimmigrant category for NAFTA professionals [see article]. We will update the website with information regarding the NAFTA re-negotiation as it relates to immigration as it becomes available.