Minister: Mexico-U.S. NAFTA Agreement Close, But Item Still Pending

Mexican and U.S. officials are close to agreeing that they have resolved their bilateral issues in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), but a major issue must still be settled, a top Mexican official said on Monday.

Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said he still had to conclude a “very important” issue when asked by reporters if Mexico and the United States had reached agreement. He did, however, note that an announcement was “probably on the agenda.”

Separately, a Mexican source familiar with the talks said it was “almost certain” that there would be an announcement on Monday when asked if the two sides had reached an agreement.