US, Canada still have work to do on NAFTA

U.S. and Canadian trade negotiators on Tuesday completed a day of talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with reaching a final deal.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters after a 2 1/2 hour meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that a deal is “eminently possible” but said she would not negotiate the pact in public, the CBC reported.

{mosads}The Canadian trade leaders, who said the discussions were positive, cordial and that there was good faith on both sides of the negotiating table between the longtime trading partners.

Freeland will head back to Canada for government business and to report to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau what transpired during the day’s talks and where the negotiations stand.

The U.S. and Canada are trying to reach an agreement by the end of September that would complete a revamped three-nation deal with Mexico that Congress may consider next year.

A couple of weeks ago the White House announced a new NAFTA deal between the U.S. and Mexico, which they sent up to Congress for possible consideration. 

Most lawmakers say they prefer all three countries in the deal. 

Freeland said Canada’s main goal is to get a good deal, not focus on the end-of-September deadline.

No word yet on when she might return to Washington to continue NAFTA talks.