American Oversight
An informed public,
a strengthened democracy.
Trump’s Mismanagement of North American Trade Negotiations
American Oversight investigated the Trump administration's management of the trade talks that resulted in US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to replace NAFTA. Serious questions have been raised about whether the administration mismanaged the negotiations or put special interests ahead of American workers.
Background:
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly criticized the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and pledged to renegotiate it to benefit American workers and businesses, promising ‘the best negotiators’ and the ‘best deal’. The deal that ultimately emerged, the USMCA, left many unanswered questions about the administration’s real priorities during the negotiations.
Updates
Emails Show Tension Between Administration and Congressional Staff over NAFTA Renegotiation
December 6, 2018
Records obtained by American Oversight provide a behind-the-scenes look at the administration’s attempt to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), including emails rife with miscommunication, poor coordination, and tension between Congress and the Office of the United States Trade Representative
USTR Emails Reveal Tensions, Inconsistencies in Trump Administration’s NAFTA Strategy
June 6, 2018
Emails obtained by American Oversight show that in a hasty attempt to scrap and replace NAFTA, USTR and the administration alienated stakeholders, rushed through processes for soliciting comment, and even held contradictory public positions.
American Oversight Launches ‘NAFTA Watch’
November 3, 2017
NAFTA Watch new investigative project of American Oversight examining mismanagement and private sector giveaways by the Trump administration during the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Related Documents
November 15, 2018
USTR External Talking Points Relating to NAFTA
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
October 10, 2018
USTR Communications With Congress Regarding NAFTA
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
October 10, 2018
Additional USTR Communications with Congress Regarding NAFTA
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
September 29, 2018
USTR Communications with Foreign Counterparts about NAFTA
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
September 29, 2018
Additional USTR Communications with Foreign Counterparts about NAFTA
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
August 22, 2018
FOIA to Washington State Department of Commerce Seeking Robert Hamilton Emails
Washington State Department of Commerce
FOIA Request
May 22, 2018
USTR NAFTA Communications with Private Stakeholders
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
May 18, 2018
USTR NAFTA Communications with State Governments
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
March 23, 2018
Commerce Department Senior Staff List – Early 2018
Department of Commerce
Agency Record
February 7, 2018
FOIA to USTR Seeking Communications with Outside Entities
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
February 7, 2018
FOIA to USTR Seeking Communications With State Governments Regarding NAFTA
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
January 2, 2018
USTR Senior Staff Calendars Regarding NAFTA
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
December 12, 2017
Records From USTR Regarding NAFTA
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Record
November 29, 2017
No Records Response From USTR Regarding Communications With Breitbart
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Agency Reply
November 1, 2017
FOIA to USTR Regarding Emails With Foreign Reps
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to USTR Seeking NAFTA Internal Communications
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to USTR Regarding NAFTA Talking Points
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to USTR Seeking Communications with Outside Entities
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to USTR Regarding Communications with State Governments
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to USTR Regarding Communications with Congress
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to USTR Regarding Communications with Breitbart
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to USTR Seeking Calendar Entries
White House - Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to Commerce Regarding NAFTA Talking Points
Department of Commerce
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to Commerce Regarding NAFTA Internal Communications
Department of Commerce
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to Commerce Regarding NAFTA External Communications
Department of Commerce
FOIA Request
November 1, 2017
FOIA to Commerce Regarding Communications with Breitbart
Department of Commerce
FOIA Request