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Rep. Tim Ryan Skeptical Of Trump's Commitment To Improve NAFTA

WKSU

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) is hopeful about the tentative trade agreement between the United States and Mexico announced by President Trump on Monday.

The president has been working to improve the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, commonly known as NAFTA.

The new agreement aims to increase the percentage of vehicle components made in North America, from 62.5 percent to 75 percent.

During an interview on NPR’s Morning Edition, Ryan, a known critic of NAFTA, questioned whether Trump would follow through on these changes.

“You look at what he says, not just from one day to the next but from one Tweet to the next, or one hour to the next," Ryan said. "So, it’s difficult for those of us who take this stuff very seriously to take him seriously. But again, I’m hopeful because this is an issue that Democrats like me from parts of the country that I come from may find some agreement with what the administration is doing.”

Canada has been a member of NAFTA, but was not a part of the initial talks. The country is now rejoined NAFTA talks.

Copyright 2018 WOSU 89.7 NPR News

Nicholas Hunter is a senior journalism student with experience primarily in print media. After spending a semester in Washington D.C., Nicholas is returning to join the WKSU team, as well as working as the opinion editor for the Kent Stater.