The bilateral NAFTA meeting between Mexico and the US ended without breakthrough yesterday. Jesus Seade, designated chief negotiator of Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, told reporters told reports that “We are already looking at all the issues. We might close this, not in a matter of hours, but these days. We still have next week.” Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said talks will resume on Thursday.
Canada has been rejected from the supposed trilateral negotiation. But its Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland still expressed optimism. She was in “very close contact” with her counterparts. And, she added “we are encouraged by the optimism that both countries have, and we are optimistic as well.” There are some concerns that Canada will face strong-arm tactics once the other two sides reach an agreement. But Freeland said “Canada will very much have a voice in the finalization of all of this.”