Trump Official Signals Support for Trade Deal With Canada, Mexico

U.S.

President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a visit to a Dana Inc. manufacturing facility in Warren, Michigan, U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. Trump is traveling Thursday to Michigan and Iowa -- where he's expected to tout the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade pact just as Democrats try to win over voters in next weeks Iowa caucuses. Photo by Anthony Lanzilote /Photographer: Anthony Lanzilote/Article content(Bloomberg) — US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated that he supports keeping the US in the trade accord with Canada and Mexico, acknowledging in closed-door briefings with lawmakers that issues with both nations remain.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThat message to Congress comes after President Donald Trump has suggested letting the US–Mexico–Canada Agreement lapse. He has publicly criticized both Canada and Mexico, threatening to pile on additional duties as punitive actions for behavior he deems unfair. He has also suggested splitting the agreement, which he helped enact during his first term, into two separate deals. Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentBut Greer issued a positive statement on the trade arrangement, signaling it would stay intact, according to senators and representatives who attended the briefings.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article content“There’s a lot of posturing right now,” Senator James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, said Wednesday after Greer met with members of the Senate Finance Committee. “Obviously, there are issues we face with Canada and with Mexico that are very different.”Article contentThe USMCA is undergoing a mandatory review as it approaches its sixth year, when signatories can choose to extend it, revise it or end it entirely. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle largely categorized the hearings with Greer as positive, saying that they open the door for potential revisions to the deal that impact their home-state industries. Article contentRepresentative Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, said the trade representative “seemed very much on process to all the different things that happen for the review” during a separate hearing with members of the House Ways and Means committee on Tuesday.Article content“And he keeps talking about how much better USMCA is than NAFTA,” the predecessor accord, Beyer added.Article contentAsked if the possibility of withdrawing from USMCA was addressed during the hearing on Wednesday, Greer declined to comment. His office did not respond to a request for comment.Article contentStill, some lawmakers urged Greer to provide them with a written report on their objectives before the review process. Article content“I think this is a good start,” said Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican. “But at the end of the day, we have to have some sort of formal submission, in my opinion.” Article contentTrending Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?

Personal Finance Canada's population declines for the first time since the pandemic News World watches as Ottawa's bullish shift on LNG puts wind at the back of two major projects Oil & Gas Expect 'dramatically higher' oil prices in 2026, says Eric Nuttall Oil & Gas So long, labour shortage: job vacancies continue to decline in Canada Work Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?

Personal Finance Canada's population declines for the first time since the pandemic News World watches as Ottawa's bullish shift on LNG puts wind at the back of two major projects Oil & Gas Expect 'dramatically higher' oil prices in 2026, says Eric Nuttall Oil & Gas So long, labour shortage: job vacancies continue to decline in Canada Work