Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister is optimistic a trade agreement with the United States is still possible.
Chrystia Freeland spoke with reporters in the U.S. Friday afternoon after the deadline for a new free trade agreement with the U.S. had passed.
Despite reports the U.S. President claims a deal would be on his terms, the Minister counters that the ambassador she’s negotiating with has been working with her in good faith.
“It is going to take flexibility on all sides to get to a deal in the end,” Freeland notes, but declined to talk about comments from President Donald Trump, emphasizing she can only speak about Canada’s position.
“What I want to assure Canadians [is] we are working hard to get a good deal. We are confident that a win-win-win deal is possible.”
Freeland maintains she will meet up with her American negotiation partner to resume negotiations on Wednesday.
She adds while she’s hopeful for a new trade agreement, she won’t sign a deal that isn’t good for Canadian workers.
A statement from American officials indicates the U.S. intends to sign a deal with Mexico in around 3 months’ time, adding Canada could be included in the trade agreement if our country is “willing”.
Tonight on #PrimeTimePolitics 8pm ET on CPAC TV:
Chrystia Freeland talks to reporters re: NAFTA talks.
"We are confident a win win win deal is possible and we're always going to stand up for the national interest…"
We'll have the full news conference. pic.twitter.com/q5p9vXPsX3
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) August 31, 2018
