Trade negotiations between the U.S. and U.S. are “at a very advanced stage,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday, Oct. 24, after Donald Trump announced a suspension of dialogue with Canada, a third partner in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard “will travel next week to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in South Korea, where he will also have meetings with President Trump’s administration,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference.
“We will wait,” the president said in response to reporters’ questions about the impact differences between Ottawa and Washington could have on the North American Free Trade Agreement. “Let’s wait and see how the relationship with Canada develops … in the case of Mexico, we have come a long way,” she added.
When asked if , the president replied: “Let’s not rush.”
Donald Trump abruptly broke off trade talks with Canada on Thursday night, angered by an Ontario ad campaign against tariff hikes, as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney tried to calm the mood today.
Sheinbaum appeared optimistic about the possibility that the finance minister could “make some deals” with the US delegation in South Korea. “We are making very good progress in examining the points that they have raised that they see as obstacles to the trade agreement. We don’t consider most of them as such,” he stressed.
In September, during an official visit to Mexico by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the two countries called for a “fairer” and more “effective” North American Free Trade Agreement as Trump threatens to impose tariffs on its neighbors and trading partners.
Source: APE – MEB
