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MEXICO CITY — After months of expectation, there’s a date to start the renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. The U.S. and Mexico are already preparing for the first round of discussions

The United States, Canada and Mexico will hold their first round of meetings in Washington, D.C., to discuss NAFTA in between Aug. 16-20. 

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the negotiations will follow the 90-day consultation period with Congress and the public.

The Mexican government is also gathering opinions from state officials, leaders and even from citizens through a website.

Larry Rubin is president of the American Society of Mexico and thinks that nothing extraordinary should be expected from the negotiations, since the three countries will be prepared.

“This initiative that President Trump had to revive, an instrument that has been in place for over 23 years, is right on target. So, what I get from businesses in Mexico -U.S. businesses and Mexican businesses  is that they are excited about the possibilities with the renegotiated NAFTA,” Rubin said.

“I definitely think that three governments will agree with most of terms," he said.

In a statement, the Mexican secretary of economy said it’s ready to work with its NAFTA partners to grow trade and investment opportunities throughout the region.

The trade agreement established the world's largest free-trade area, linking almost half a billion people.