Canada, U.S. have reached a NAFTA deal, senior Canadian source says
After more than a year of fractious negotiations, a deal has been reached
John Paul Tasker · CBC News · Posted: Sep 30, 2018 12:40 PM ET | Last Updated: a minute ago
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland looks on as United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer delivers his statement to the media during the sixth round of negotiations for a new North American Free Trade Agreement in Montreal on Jan. 29. Talks are at a critical stage this week with a midnight deadline looming. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
After more than a year of fractious negotiations, Canada and the U.S. have reached an agreement on key sections of a new NAFTA, a senior source told CBC News.
Below is an older version of this story.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will convene a meeting of cabinet tonight to brief ministers on NAFTA progress as senior Canadian officials sound increasingly optimistic a deal can be reached before a U.S.-imposed deadline of Oct. 1.
"We're close," a senior source, with direct knowledge of the talks, told CBC News. "The elements for a deal are there, they just have to see if they can get it across the goal line."
Canada's ambassador to Washington said Sunday he is optimistic a renegotiated NAFTA could soon be had, telling reporters that officials are working furiously to secure a trilateral deal hours out from a deadline.
"It's good — we're working hard," David MacNaughton said after leaving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office in Ottawa. "We've been at it for a long time so, you know, I'm cautiously optimistic but we'll see."