NAFTA Talks Continue as Trump Blasts Pact Again

President Donald Trump, reiterating that he considers NAFTA a “horrible disaster,” tells carmakers he wants them to produce “millions” more vehicles in the U.S.

Trump and several members of its staff meet on Friday with senior leaders from carmakers that operate factories in the U.S.: BMW, Chrysler Fiat Automobiles, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen.

The president hopes to force more domestic production through changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Negotiators last week failed to settle key issues, such as raising local content requirements. But envoys from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. say progress is being made, and they pledge to continue talks.

Trump also aims to entice vehicle manufacturers to hike local production in exchange for already-enacted corporate tax breaks and an anticipated freeze for fuel economy and emission standards.

Reports say several carmakers again emphasized they want more flexibility in meeting tougher rules but don’t want to abandon the rules themselves. The manufacturers also urged Trump to strike a deal with California, which has the power to set its own emission rules, that ensure a single set of standards that applies across all 50 states.