Energy, a Bright Spot in Nafta Talks, Bogged Down by Dispute Over Rule Change

Expanding Nafta to cover oil trade has many backers. But energy companies are balking at a U.S. bid to drop a rule meant to protect investors from government intervention

Representatives of the U.S., Canada and Mexico continue talks to renegotiate the North American free trade agreement. The WSJ’s Shelby Holiday looks at how that could change the prices of the cars, tacos and clothes you buy. Photo: Evan Engel
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The Trump administration is at odds with American companies over a proposed rule change to the North American Free Trade Agreement that is endangering a bright spot—energy—in contentious treaty talks.

All three Nafta countries—the U.S, Canada and Mexico—agree that a new treaty should aid the burgeoning energy trade. Under negotiation are initiatives to ease the construction of pipelines across borders, to aid U.S. exports of natural gas and to assist American companies opening gas stations or explore for oil in Mexico, officials...