Trump, Trudeau Eager to Ratify New NAFTA

LONDON—U.S. President Donald Trump says his countrys legislators have to ratify the new North American free−trade deal before Mexico and Canada lose interest in finalizing it.

He and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met in London on Dec. 3, on the sidelines of a summit of NATO leaders. Beforehand, Trump said he wouldnt blame Trudeau or Mexicos President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for walking away while the deal waits for a vote in the U.S. Congress.

The Democrats who control the U.S. House of Representatives havent brought the trade deal up for a vote amid concerns about enforcing environmental and labour standards on Mexican employers. Trump, who faces an impeachment inquiry in the same chamber, has been trying to pressure them for months to move on the treaty.

“We look forward to being able to take the vote on USMCA. Its been there for a time,” Trump said, referring to the deal by its acronym.

He went on to say that Lopez Obrador and Trudeau “will get tired” of further delays.

“Theyll say, look, lets forget this deal, and I could understand if you did,” Trump said.

“Its been sitting in Congress now for six or seven months and its a great deal for everybody. So hopefully they can get it done and get it done fast.”

Sitting next to Trump, Trudeau said he thinks the relationship between Canada and the United States has never been stronger, and refused to bite on a reporters question about whether hes threatened to abandon the trade agreement.

“We have had lot of great conversations about how were going to keep moving forward to benefit workers in all three of our countries and were very confident that were going to be able to get there,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau praised the work the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have done to get the new NAFTA approved in all three countries legislatures. LeadRead More – Source