NAFTA talks to resume Friday as Trump's deadline looms
'We continue to be encouraged by the constructive atmosphere,' Freeland says
North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations will resume Friday morning,as Canada's team continues to hammer out a revised deal in Washington before the end of the week.
Foreign Affairs MinisterChrystiaFreelandmet U.S. Trade RepresentativeRobert Lighthizera total of four times Thursday, including a meeting late in the eveningthat lasted less than five minutes. She toldreporters she "had a couple of things to say."
Earlier Thursday, Freelandand Lighthizer held the longest negotiating sessions since she arrived in Washington Tuesday.
Also earlier, Canada's high-ranking negotiators brought the provinces and territories up to speed on the state of the negotiations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,Freeland,Intergovernmental Affairs Minister DominicLeBlanc, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrew Leslie and Canada's Ambassador to the United States, DavidMacNaughton, updated the premiers.
Trudeau "indicated that the federal governmentremains committed to ensuring that any agreement is in the best interests of Canadians," said spokespersonEleanoreCatenaroin a statement.
But the premier, who is up for re-election in October, said he "forcefully" made Quebec's position known on supply management, cultural exceptions and dispute resolution mechanisms.
The United States, Canada and Mexico are trying to come up with at least a preliminary agreement in principle by Friday.
"We continue to be encouraged by the constructive atmosphere," Freeland said."There's a lot we're trying to do in a short period of time."
Concessions could be coming on Chapter 11, dairy access
Finalizing something before the end of day on Friday sets up a scenario where a potential deal could be signed before a new political party assumes power in Mexicolater this fall. There may be other ways for Canada to conclude a NAFTAdeal,however, if this renewed push is not successful over the next 36 hours or so.
On Monday, the Trump administration announced that it had reached a preliminary agreement with Mexico.
When asked if Mexico would be returning to the table, Freelandsaid "we are focused on working hard on our issues with the United States."
Jim Carr, Canada's minister of International Trade Diversification,said Friday in Singaporethat Canada, the United States and Mexico are working to "get the right deal, not any deal," and there were risks to all if no agreement could be reached.
Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Youssef, who is in Washington this week, said there isroom for Canada to make concessions on dispute resolution and supply management.
Chapter 11 was designed to give investors confidence when they do business in another country by providing an impartial tribunal to settle disputes with the government over allegations of discriminatory treatment. The Trump administration wants to make participation voluntary.
"I've said to the government; there's no reason to even keep Chapter 11, we have a very robust judicial system in Canada. Should any investor choose to sue a provincial, territorial government or the federal government they can go to our courts," said Youssef, who also sits on the government's NAFTA council.
He also predicts more give-and-take when it comes to accessing Canada's dairy market, a continuing irritant for U.S. President Donald Trump.
"The Canadian public should expect the American dairy industry will probably have more access to Canada by the time this agreement is concluded and we should not lose sleep over it," he said.
Freelandsaid the Trans Mountain pipeline's uncertain future in Canada will not impact the intensified NAFTAtalks.
"Absolutely not," saidFreelandwhen asked if a Federal Court of Appeal decision adds pressure to her work in Washington.
In a decision released Thursday, the Federal Court of Appealfound the National Energy Board's assessment of the Trans Mountain project was flawedand thefederal cabinet should not have relied on it when it gavefinal approval to proceed in November 2016.
The court's decision nullifies the government's approvals to build the project,leaving it on shaky ground until the energy regulator and the government can reassess its approvals to satisfy the court's demands.
"TheNAFTAnegotiation is, as I think you all know,an extremely important negotiation for Canada," Freelandtold reportersduring a pause between meetings Thursday.
"We have our eyes resolutely on that prize and we are not focusingon or responding to any other factors."
With files from the CBC'sJanyce McGregor, Katie Simpson, The Associated Press and Reuters
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