Negotiations and updates to the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada could come under timing pressure in 2018 as regional elections overpower trade concerns, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on CNBC Friday.

"If you get much into 2018, the political calendar will overwhelm the trade calendar," Ross said. The third round of NAFTA negotiations are set to begin Friday.

Ross also expressed that auto parts will play a key role in any renegotiating efforts, as autos and the parts that they're made from constitute nearly all of the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico and Canada.

During the same appearance, Ross said President Trump's administration doesn't want to "unnecessarily irritate" Congress with trade concerns as the legislative arm of the federal government works to achieve tax reform. Part of the plan to walk softly includes easing the White House's stance on trade to keep GOP votes on tax reform.

"We need the votes [in the Senate] and as proven with health care, it is a very fragile margin," Ross said. But Trump isn't a president to "forget his campaign promises," Ross clarified.

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