NRF, Tech Groups Hail Trilateral Trade Deal, Saying It Builds on NAFTA’s Successes

The National Retail Federation and two tech groups expressed support Monday for the new trilateral trade deal the U.S., Canada and Mexico reached this weekend. NRF hails the deal because it preserves the “framework” of the North American Free Trade Agreement, said CEO Matthew Shay Monday. The agreement is “critical to protecting North American supply chains that support millions of American jobs,” said Shay. “Modernizing NAFTA for the 21st century” was a goal that U.S. retailers “have shared from the start,” he said. “We will carefully review all the details of the agreement to ensure it promotes U.S. economic growth and maintains access to the products American families need at the prices they can afford.” The Information Technology Industry Council regards the agreement as “a significant step toward creating a foundation for North America’s economic prosperity for years to come,” said CEO Dean Garfield. “While we are still reviewing text, we’re encouraged this plan will build upon the prior economic success of NAFTA and adapt it to the fundamentally digital economy in which we live through new rules on digital trade, intellectual property, and trade in goods.” The tech industry likes the "digital trade chapter that removes barriers to cross-border data flows," said Computer and Communications Industry Association CEO Ed Black. The group also likes "protection for intermediaries to ensure U.S. internet services can be exported around the world," he said.