Thread by @FlavioVolpe1

On this NAFTA journey, I’ve met with negotiators of each country, attended every round, had meetings with the White House in DC, at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City and the PMO in Ottawa. 1/

I’ve spoken directly with the President of Mexico and hosted the Prime Minister of Canada. I work closely with my counterparts in all 3 countries and I speak all day long with companies that are affected and invested.

I speak with reporters all over the world on the record. 2/

In spite of my exposure and investment in a positive NAFTA outcome, I can’t tell you with certainty what the outcome will be and what chief negotiators are thinking.

Its a high stakes negotiation between 3 sovereign countries with much at risk. It’s not done in public. /3

As we get to the final strokes, it’s especially important that you consider the source of ‘insider’ info and think hard about context before jumping to conclusions.

Statements made off the record are sometimes tactical moves made by negotiators and sometimes just gossip. /4

The negotiation of a renewed free trade agreement that is still in effect is without precedent. Doing so without a statuatory requirement or guide is even more clumsy.

Officials in all 3 countries are negotiating hard between allies. The end is always going to be turbulent. /5

The USTR did not seek or have congressional authority to negotiate 2 bilaterals with Mex and Can. We are all only still on a 3 party NAFTA track.

Anyone worried about Canada or Mexico doing an end run on the other secretly with the US can rest easy. This is still on track. /end