White House Tells Congress it Aims to Keep Canada in Nafta

[DonViejo]

Source: The New York Times


By Alan Rappeport and Ana Swanson
Aug. 31, 2018

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration told Congress on Friday that it intends to enter into a revised North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and will continue working to keep Canada in the pact, with talks between the United States and Canada continuing next week.

While sticking points still remain between the United States and Canada, the decision to try and keep moving ahead with a trilateral deal is a significant win for supporters of Nafta and an indication that the Trump administration wants to keep Canada in the pact.

“Today the President notified the Congress of his intent to sign a trade agreement with Mexico – and Canada, if it is willing – 90 days from now,” Robert E. Lighthizer, the United States trade representative, said in a statement. Mr. Lighthizer called the talks with Canada “constructive” and said “Our officials are continuing to work toward agreement.”

The decision capped off a rocky negotiating session on Friday, as the United States and Canada struggled to reach agreement on several key issues and President Trump continued to disparage Canada and its trade practices, raising fears that the last-ditch talks to salvage Nafta could falter.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/31/business/us-canada-nafta.html

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After talks with Canada falter, Trump to advance preliminary Mexico trade deal on NAFTA

By Washington Post Staff
August 31 at 3:56 PM
President Trump plans to notify Congress Friday of a preliminary trade deal with Mexico that he hopes will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, a necessary step for his goal of signing a new North American trade pact before December.

Members of Congress have said they’ll only support a new NAFTA deal if Canada is included, but the administration’s notice is expected to state the White House is hopeful to reach an agreement soon.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/08/31/after-talks-with-canada-falter-trump-to-advance-preliminary-mexico-trade-deal-on-nafta/

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Fast-track (90 day) approval only applies if it is ALL three trading partners.

The Fast-track that was authorized for these negotiations only requires 50 votes but it has to be a deal for all three: USA, Canada, and Mexico.

A bilateral deal requires 60 votes and is not fast-track.

Trump blinked today, because he had to.

He might still impose the automobile tariffs against Canada that self-harm (him and the USA).

[watoos]

2. I doubt that Trump knew what you just posted,

even if someone told him the scenario. It's the weekend and more golfing for Trump, we can't expect him to concentrate on business, especially with Labor Day giving him an extra day of golf.

[lark]

3. Yep, that last sentence is exactly what he will try to do.

Destroying ours and Canada's economy is one of the big reasons PUtin put him in the office. What he's saying to Congress is just pro forma, he already told us he has no intention of having any deal. Just like he's reneging on the no auto tariffs with EU, he's lying about this as well. EU gave him everything he asked for and now it's not enough, same thing will happen with Canada.