Trump may be softening on Mexico and NAFTA, and that’s good for the U.S.

According to Forbes.com, President Trump might just be back-pedaling and only planning minor revisions to the North America Free Trade Agreement.

That’s good, because the data suggests Mexico — the most frequent subject of his vitriol pre- and post-campaign — is actually a pretty good trade partner, and getting better.

While my reading of a Wall Street Journal article detailing a draft proposal the Administration sent to Congress still suggests some potential landmines, I will relish any hope of moderation on international trade. Remember, on his first day of work as president, Trump walked away from the Trans Pacific Partnership, ending seven to eight years of completed negotiations on what would have been the world’s largest FTA.

While I am betting his calculus in slow pedaling on NAFTA is more political than data driven, I am guardedly optimistic nonetheless.

Because the data suggests that Mexico is actually a pretty good trade partner.