Six North American steel trade groups are asking the Trump administration to modernise and revise the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) instead of scrapping it, Kallanish reports.

A joint statement by several groups calls for stronger regional value content requirements, trade enforcement cooperation and tighter border controls. The organisations are the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Steel Manufacturers Association, the Canadian Steel Producers Association, Canacero, the Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports and the Specialty Steel Industry of North America. 

“Nafta has provided significant benefits to US, Canadian and Mexican steel industries,” the joint statement says. “It has resulted in strengthened North American manufacturing supply chains, especially with key customer groups like the North American automotive industry. It has contributed to increases in exports, investments, and helped the steel industry remain globally competitive. While we view Nafta as a successful agreement, after 23 years it can be modernised and strengthened.”