WASHINGTON: The Trump administration will enforce trade rules more aggressively than any previous government in its efforts to reduce the trade deficit, but is not seeking a dispute, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Tuesday. NAFTA benefitted allCanada Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne defended NAFTA, however, saying it benefitted all the partners and created North American production chains. “NAFTA has been an excellent agreement that has benefitted all sides,” amounting to $1 trillion in trade annually — four times more than before the agreement was signed — he told the conference. But “we must work harder to make the case for trade.”‘Stricter enforcement’On the administration’s broader trade strategy — frequently described as an “America First” policy — Ross said “the goal is to increase overall trade while reducing our trade deficit,” which means reducing barriers to US exports. At the same time the Trump White House will pursue “stricter enforcement than any previous administration,” he said.

Source: Manila Times May 10, 2017 00:11 UTC