On the recordMay 21, 2018
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.…
