Talks of beginning re-negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada continue.
Tuesday, leaders in agriculture from each of those countries all met in Savannah to show a united front ahead of the discussions.
“When we determined we wanted to meet together, in anticipation of our NAFTA discussions, I could think of no better place,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said.
As plans to re-negotiate the agreement develop in Washington, the leaders decided to speak more casually during the visit to Savannah.
“Southern culture, southern hospitality, we have certainly a great feel of that in the first 24 hours,” Canadian Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay said.
The three received a tour of Savannah’s port, the largest single port terminal in North America. The trio said they spent the time establishing trust on a more personal level
“The only way to build trust is to be face to face, to shake hands,” Mexican Secretary of Agriculture José Calzada Rovirosa said.
“It’s important in Georgia, it’s important in Canada, important in the U.S., and important in Mexico that we develop personal relationships of trust and candor with one another discussing the issues we will have before us,” Perdue said.
While specifics were not up for public discussion Tuesday, the leaders emphasized the need to alter trade agreements, as trade climates continue to change.
“Will there be little problems, yes,” MacAulay said. “Will there be big problems, I highly doubt it.”
The three also emphasized the important of face-to-face meetings like the one in Savannah Tuesday, ahead of the discussions.
“Not in Washington, in the cold rooms of Washington, or in Mexico City or in Ottawa, but in this nice place,” Calzada said.
Source: WJCL