Reichert Says NAFTA Renegotiations Must Not Harm Ag

Renegotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, are underway.

Representative Dave Reichert said while there are a lot of problems with the 1994 agreement, some of it still works.

“We have some issues with Canada as it relates to dairies and also in the wood industry, but in ag in general I think NAFTA, and from what I’m hearing from the ag community, is that it’s been a very positive experience.”

Reichert also pointed to intellectual property rights, the environmental concerns and state-owned enterprises as areas where NAFTA is not sufficient in its current form.

As far as renegotiation, Reichert said they have received a simple message from the ag community and it’s one they’ve delivered to the U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

“As we go through NAFTA renegotiation, one of the things that we have to make sure of is that we do no harm to the parts of NAFTA that are working.”

Congressman Reichert serves as the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Trade.

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