(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
August 20, 2017 - 8:00 PM
WASHINGTON - The first round of NAFTA negotiations has wrapped up.
The three North American countries have issued a statement declaring the end of the round after five days in Washington.
The countries head to Mexico City for the second round, from Sept. 1 to 5.
A third round will be held in Canada in late September.
In a joint statement, the countries said a great deal of negotiation will be required in the coming months — but that all parties remain committed to an ambitious outcome.
The initial round was heavy on introductory sessions, and schedule-setting.
But it also featured substantive discussions that revealed possible irritants ahead — including auto-parts rules, cutting edge pharmaceuticals, and labour.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2017