U.S. Takes Firm Stance During NAFTA Negotiations, New Zealand Possibly Signing Free Trade Deal

New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay speaks with media during the 3rd Intersessional Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam May 22, 2017. REUTERS/Kham

U.S. trade representatives are looking to make big changes to NAFTA.
American delegates laid down hard lines during the first day of formal negotiations, saying they would not settle for ‘cosmetic changes’ to the trade agreement.
In the past, President Trump has called the decades old trade agreement the worst deal in history.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand trade minister says there is a good chance of signing a free-trade deal with other nations despite the U.S. pulling out.
Todd McClay said the 11 remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership are committed to quickly completing the deal with only minor changes.
He announced the New Zealand government approved a mandate to push ahead with negotiations Thursday.
However, TTP partners say the deal could still face many hurdles as the New Zealand elections will be held next month.