The Mexican government’s negotiating objectives for NAFTA reportedly include strengthening the existing “Chapter 19” dispute settlement mechanism. That matches objectives held by Canada. While the U.S. stance acknowledges the need for such a provision, the administration is not happy with the arbitration structure currently. There are only 28 days of negotiations scheduled before year end, and legislative requirements limit the timetable before a deal can be signed. That suggests a short-form, transactional deal focussed on goods and less controversial areas may be needed, with complex a...