Lighthizer tells lawmakers a ‘skinny’ NAFTA deal is unlikely, suggests some ‘backsliding’ in talks

In a meeting with Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer downplayed the possibility of a pared-down or “skinny” NAFTA agreement while acknowledging some “backsliding” in the talks with Canada and Mexico. Lighthizer met with the New Democrat Coalition -- a group of lawmakers supportive of free trade deals -- for the first time since taking office and indicated that a deal on NAFTA was not imminent. “[Lighthizer] seemed to make it sound like they had gone backwards...