[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 NAFTA

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I am here today to discuss new legislation 
to help Puerto Rico gain a stronger fiscal footing, but before turning 
to that, I would like to make a few comments regarding the current 
NAFTA trade talks.
  Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of discussion in the 
press about potential deadlines for concluding negotiations on NAFTA. 
While speculation about timelines is natural, let me be clear. As I 
have said from the beginning of these talks, the most important thing 
for determining when and how Congress will vote on an eventual North 
American Free Trade Agreement outcome is the quality of the agreement.
  I understand that the current negotiations are about an existing 
agreement that American businesses and workers rely on in dealing with 
two of our largest trading partners. I understand that continuing 
negotiations means a level of uncertainty about these important 
relationships will continue to persist. Nevertheless, it is critical 
that the administration take the time necessary to get these 
negotiations right. I believe the administration understands that.
  A modernized NAFTA will help American businesses and workers only if 
it includes strong and enforceable protections for America's creators 
and innovators, supports cross-border data flows, and maintains and 
expands market access for American goods and services exporters to the 
Canadian and Mexican markets.
  The bottom line: Substance is what matters, and we should not allow 
other considerations to impede achieving our goals.
  I am confident that with continued discussions between the United 
States, Canada, and Mexico, we can create a strong agreement that will 
meet the high standards set by Congress in trade promotion authority. I 
will continue to support the administration in achieving that outcome.