TRADE

Progress in NAFTA Talks Reported: Negotiators said they made substantial gains as U.S., Canadian and Mexican delegations ended a round of talks on labor and environmental safeguards under the proposed North American Free Trade Agreement. Herminio Blanco, head of the Mexican delegation, had an upbeat assessment at a news conference closing two days of talks aimed at side agreements to protect workers and the environment under NAFTA. Negotiators gave few details but indicated that differences remain over U.S. demands for tough enforcement of the agreements. The negotiators plan to meet again July 19 in Canada and expect trade secretaries to meet soon after that to sign the agreements.