WASHINGTON – Canada’s lead minister for the renegotiation of NAFTA has arrived in Washington for the first round of talks, which get underway today.
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland exchanged pleasantries and a hug with her Mexican counterpart after touching down yesterday.
A day earlier, she announced some of Canada’s priorities for the talks.
They included two specific demands — fewer so-called Buy American rules for public contracts, and freer movement of professionals.
Former American trade officials say both of those could be tough sells under Donald Trump’s America First-themed presidency.
Round one begins today with countries tabling their own texts, which will be merged into one new document featuring brackets around the sticking points.