I think Lighthizer is the wrong person to be leading these negotiations for the US. He is too abrasive and unbending. These characteristics may work when he is dealing with steel magnates but now it is voters actually sitting across the table from him now.

If he managed by some miracle to get Mexican negotiators to accept a deal on his terms it will be portrayed next year, during their election, as the rape of Mexico by America and rejected. 

Similarly with Canada. We look for improvements to NAFTA because it is not working so well for us either. Why accept terms that only make things worse?

I think our negotiators have the measure of the man. This will be a long and tedious set of negotiations.

If Lighthizer is serious about wanting a deal he had better reconsider the end date again because at this rate he will be negotiating well into 2019. That or change his style, which is unlikely. 

A leopard cannot change its spots.