[author: Laura Anne Schierhoff]

On Sunday, U.S., Canadian, and Mexican negotiators began a seventh round of North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) re-negotiations in Mexico City. However, once again, trade talks are strained due to tensions between President Trump and Mexican President Pena Nieto and discussions surrounding a Southern border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Mexico has not directly indicated it is walking away from negotiations. However, there are signs that Mexico is turning to other countries for trade, including Brazil. Last year, Mexico imported ten times more corn from Brazil than years past. U.S. farmers are the ones that will feel the effect of trade going elsewhere – not only corn – but also soybeans, dairy and poultry. Canadian President Trudeau has indicated that Canada is willing to walk away from NAFTA if negotiations fall apart; he said Canada won’t be accepting “any old deal.” These negotiation talks are schedule to run through March 5, 2018. There is no firm timeline for when a re-negotiation deal must be reached among the three countries, but there are political events that may delay and shape further talks, including a Mexican presidential election in July and the U.S. Congressional mid-term elections in November.