U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

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79–011 2018

115th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 115–150 

INTENT TO INITIATE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH 

MEXICO AND CANADA 

COMMUNICATION 

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

TRANSMITTING

A NOTIFICATION THAT THE PRESIDENT INTENDS TO INITIATE 

TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH MEXICO AND CANADA, PURSUANT 

TO 19 U.S.C. 4205(a)(1)(A); PUBLIC LAW 114–26, SEC. 106(a)(1)(A); 

(129 STAT. 350) 

AUGUST 31, 2018.—Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and 

ordered to be printed 


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THE WHITE HOUSE, 

Washington, August 31, 2018. 

Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: On May 18, 2017, my Administration notified the Congress that I intended to initiate trade negotiations with 

Canada and Mexico. Negotiations began on August 16, 2017. Since 

that time, my Administration has worked hard with Mexico and 

Canada to reach a modern trade agreement that sets high standards for free, fair, and reciprocal trade. 

I am pleased to report that in only 1 year, we have made dramatic progress toward such an agreement: 

• It will help American farmers by ensuring fairer market 

conditions and improved market access for United States agricultural products. 

• It will create a more level playing field for American workers—due in part to improved rules of origin for automobiles, 

trucks, and other products. 

• It will include the toughest and most comprehensive labor 

and environmental rules of any United States trade deal. For 

the first time in North America, those rules will be enforceable—and they will be strictly enforced. 

• It will encourage innovation by providing new and improved protections for United States intellectual property. 

• It will contain the strongest disciplines on digital trade of 

any international agreement, and will provide a firm foundation for the expansion of trade in innovative products and services. 

• It will create a more level playing field for American service industries, including the critical sector of financial services. 

• It will provide the most robust protections against currency manipulation of any United States trade deal. 

• It will give United States policymakers new weapons 

against the harmful, market-distorting effect of state-owned 

enterprises on private companies. 

In short, this agreement is a great deal for the American people. 

It sets a new tone for all trade agreements, proof of the high standard that my Administration will require of any country entering a 

new trade agreement with the United States. 

I intend to enter into the agreement by the end of November 

2018. Accordingly, pursuant to section 106(a)(1)(A) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 

(Public Law 114–26, Title I), I hereby notify the House of Representatives and the Senate that I intend to enter into a trade 

agreement with Mexico—and with Canada if it is willing, in a timeVerDate Sep 11 2014 01:50 Sep 01, 2018 Jkt 079011 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 E:\HR\OC\HD150.XXX HD150

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ly manner, to meet the high standards for free, fair, and reciprocal 

trade contained therein. 

My Administration looks forward to continued collaboration with 

the Congress to develop legislation to approve and implement this 

agreement. 

Sincerely, 

DONALD J. TRUMP. 

Æ 


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