White House Tells Congress it Aims to Keep Canada in Nafta [View all]

[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/