Canada 'optimistic' as NAFTA talks with US enter crucial phase

Canadian trade officials are "optimistic" they can make progress this week as they began a crucial phase of talks with the United States today to try to bridge their differences and agree on a rewrite of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

After Mexico paved the way by agreeing to a NAFTA 2.0 with the United States, Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said officials yesterday had worked late into the night on outstanding issues.

She told reporters she already had spoken with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer by telephone early today before arriving for the second day of in-person meetings.

While she acknowledged the issues were "complicated" she said the concessions made by Mexico in talks over the last few weeks would ease the final negotiations.

"Mexico has made some significant concessions, which will be really good for Canadian workers," she said on the steps of the US Trade Representative's office.

"On that basis, we are optimistic about having some very good productive conversations this week."