OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Canada’s chief negotiator at the NAFTA talks is not so optimistic about a possible deal in the coming weeks.
He expressed his doubts while meeting with the union Unifor in Ottawa today.
There is unusual optimism today from the US with the American trade representative saying an agreement in principle could be reached soon. However, Canada’s chief negotiator Steve Verheul is not so hopeful.
“That will be a bit of a challenge, I have to say,” he tells reporters.
Verheul is not ruling out a possible deal in April but he is expressing his doubts, saying there is still a lot of work left to do.
“There’s obviously some significant gaps on many issues. We have a whole range of chapters where we’re not that far apart, but on the core, most important issues, there is a significant amount of work still to be done.”
Verheul reiterated the sticking points: the US positions on autos, a proposed sunset clause, access to US government procurement and the American desire to opt out of a dispute resolution chapter.
US president Donald Trump has threatened Canada and Mexico with steel and aluminum tariffs if there is no deal by May 1st.
While the next round of negotiations are expected next month in Washington, Verheul says Canada has yet to formally receive an invitation from the US.
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