President Donald Trump today said the United States had reached a "really good deal" with Mexico and talks with Canada would begin shortly on a new regional free trade pact.
But Trump hinted that all might not be smooth sailing from here, suggesting he could cut Ottawa out of the deal reached with Mexico and adding that he wanted to change the agreement's name.
"It's a big day for trade. It's a really good deal for both countries," Trump said.
"Canada, we will start negotiations shortly. I'll be calling their prime minister very soon," Trump said.
US and Mexican negotiators have been working for weeks to iron out differences in order to revise the nearly 25-year old North American Free Trade Agreement, while Canada was waiting to rejoin the negotiations.
While Mexico's top negotiator, Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo reiterated today that the next step was for Canada to rejoin the discussions on the trilateral accord, Trump said, "We could have a separate deal or we could put it in the same deal."
Freeland's spokesman Adam Austen said, "We will only sign a new NAFTA that is good for Canada and good for the middle class." "Canada's signature is required."
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