Trump And Trudeau Discuss New NA Free Trade Agreement

August 25, 2019 8:17 am

BIARRITZ, France (AP) – President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are discussing the new North American free trade agreement as they meet on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France. The two countries and Mexico agreed last year to modify the existing accord with what they termed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. All three nation’s legislatures must first approve the long-sought modernization of the 1990s trade agreement before it can go into effect. Trump says the trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada will be significantly expanded when USMCA is completed. He adds, “I think it’s a very special agreement.” Securing approval for USMCA in Congress is Trump’s top legislative priority for the year. Democrats are seeking changes designed to ensure the enforcement of the pact’s labor and environmental standards.