Trudeau says government's 'serious and positive approach' on NAFTA is getting results

After a tense few days of doubt over NAFTA'ssurvival, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his Liberal government's pro-active approach to renegotiating the trade pact is yielding positive results.

Trudeau made the remarks at the close of a two-day cabinet retreat in London, Ont., where talk ofjobs and economic growth was overshadowed by uncertainty over the fate ofNAFTA.

The meeting began amid reports suggesting the U.S.was poised to serve notice it will withdraw from the agreement.

But late yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a reprieve,telling theWall Street Journalhe would be "leaving it a little bit flexible" until the Mexican presidential election on July1, though he repeated his threat to withdraw fromNAFTAif he could not negotiate improvements for the U.S.

Trudeausaid Canada has been working hard on outreach on the file, while remaining "very firm" in standing up for Canadian interests.

Freeland on Trump and NAFTA

7 years ago

Duration 0:58

Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland spoke to reporters before a cabinet meeting Friday in London, Ontario

"We're going to continue to work diligently, and might I add, that the number of voices that we are seeing speak up in the United States in support ofNAFTAdemonstrates that our serious and positive approach is delivering fruit," he said.

Earlier today, Foreign Affairs MinisterChrystiaFreelandcalled Trump'schange of heart"sensible" and "constructive."

Trudeau on Trump's language

7 years ago

Duration 0:21

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reacts to U.S. President Donald Trump's coarse description of some countries.

The next round ofNAFTAtalks will begin in Montreal Jan. 23, just days beforeMPsreturn to Parliament.

During Trudeau's closing news conference, he was asked about reports that Trump referred to Haiti and a number of other states as a group of "shithole" countries, Trudeau said he would not comment on the remarks and instead noted the eighth anniversary of the Haitian earthquake.

"I think you all know that I am not going to opine on what the president may or may not have said," Trudeau remarked. "I will simply repeat that Canada is a country of openness of respect and we will continue to be there to support friends around the world and to welcome people who will contribute to building a stronger country."

Power Panel: Global uproar over Trump's reported 'shithole countries' remark

7 years ago

Duration 7:58

Paul Wells, Marie Vastel, Aaron Wherry and Jen Gerson weigh in