NAFTA: Negotiators get to work in quiet contrast to the political noise outside
WASHINGTON — While President Donald Trump tweeted up a storm Thursday, the massive trade negotiation he launched was off to a quick, quiet start in the boardrooms of a Washington hotel.
Separate working groups on more than two dozen topics are holding their first encounters in this week’s intial round of North American trade talks, including groups that will deal with some of the thorniest topics.
Those working on government procurement and intellectual property were meeting Thursday; on auto-parts rules of origin Friday; and on agriculture Saturday, according to a schedule obtained by The Canadian Press.
While the original talks were expected to focus on formalities, one official said they will go beyond the simple setting of schedules and will delve immediately into actual substance.