Canada, US, Mexico agree to continue NAFTA talks

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEWS 1130) – NAFTA renegotiations will continue, after talks stalled between Canada, the US and Mexico.

The announcement came after Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland wrapped up a meeting with the US trade representative in Washington

NAFTA talks have been on hold for weeks after a push for a quick deal ended with no agreement.

However, Freeland says the three countries have agreed to continue NAFTA talks.

“Meaningful progress has been made today, and we need to keep working hard to get to a deal on a modernized NAFTA,” Freeland said to reporters following her meeting with US trade representative Robert Lighthizer.

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While all parties involved want to continue to work on the progress that’s been made, no date has yet been set to return to the negotiating table.

“We can continue working now, and that we will be working hard over the summer,” Freeland added.

This was the minister’s first face to face meeting with Lighthizer since President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest” and then threatened trade action against Canada’s auto and dairy sectors.

That all took place after the G-7 Summit in Quebec this past weekend.

Freeland also took the chance to raise the issue of US tariffs on steel and aluminum, saying Canada will not escalate but that it will also not back down. The tariffs are something the minister has called “absurd” and “illegal.”

Canada’s dollar for dollar counter duties are set to kick in July 1.