News

No U.S.-Canada trade deal yet

There’s no deal between the U.S. and Canada on trade yet.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland left meetings in Washington Thursday and told reporters negotiations are continuing, and that officials are in pretty much constant contact.  As far as what was accomplished, Freeland would only say some tough issues were discussed.  Her counterpart, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has not issued any statements about this week’s talks.

The tough issues for Canada and the U.S. include dairy market access to Canada and how to resolve trade dispute cases.  The Dairy Processors Association of Canada and the Dairy Farmers of Canada said in a statement that any final NAFTA deal must not negatively impact them and Canadian consumers and that Canada’s dairy people and investments are worth fighting for.

Canada also says it wants to keep the Chapter 19 independent review for trade disputes, and the U.S. does not.