U.S. suggests a NAFTA target: freer trade in online, duty-free goods
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration says liberalizing cross-border online shopping is one of its trade priorities with Canada, according to a document that provides new clues on the administration’s plans entering NAFTA renegotiations.
The statement comes in an exchange of letters between the administration’s nominee for trade czar and the top congressional committee that handles trade, which is considering his nomination.
Canada has one of the lowest allowances in the developed world for online duty-free shopping — Canadian consumers are allowed to purchase $20 worth of goods online from Amazon, eBay or other retailers before duties kick in, compared to $800 in the U.S.
Trade nominee Bob Lighthizer was asked about that by a member of the Senate finance committee, which is one of the congressional bodies that by law must be consulted before, during, and after the U.S. holds trade negotiations.