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US and Canada reach new trade deal to replace Nafta | US and Canada reach new trade deal to replace Nafta |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The US and Canada have reached a new trade deal, along with Mexico, to replace the current North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta). | |
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is said to involve more US access to Canada's dairy market and a cap on its car exports to the US. | The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is said to involve more US access to Canada's dairy market and a cap on its car exports to the US. |
However, the joint US-Canada statement did not give details of the agreement. | |
US President Donald Trump has long sought to change Nafta, which governed more than $1tn (£767bn) in trade. | |
Until recently it looked as if Canada could be excluded from a final agreement. | |
"Today, Canada and the United States reached an agreement, alongside Mexico, on a new, modernized trade agreement for the 21st Century: the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement," US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a joint statement. | "Today, Canada and the United States reached an agreement, alongside Mexico, on a new, modernized trade agreement for the 21st Century: the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement," US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a joint statement. |
The agreement "will give our workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses a high-standard trade agreement that will result in freer markets, fairer trade and robust economic growth in our region". | |
It comes as the US has fought a trade war on several fronts this year, including placing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Mexico and Canada. | |
What is in the new deal? | What is in the new deal? |
While the exact details of the agreement have not been released, the new accord is expected to contain key provisions on Canada's dairy industry and car exports to the US. | |
US farmers will have access to about 3.5% of Canada's dairy market, Reuters reported, citing sources. | US farmers will have access to about 3.5% of Canada's dairy market, Reuters reported, citing sources. |
Canada is also reported to have secured some protections for its automobile industry against potential US tariffs. | Canada is also reported to have secured some protections for its automobile industry against potential US tariffs. |
US tariffs on steel and aluminium will remain for now, the sources said. | US tariffs on steel and aluminium will remain for now, the sources said. |
How was the deal reached? | |
The US made a deal with Mexico in August, but relations with Canada over the trade pact had become increasingly strained in recent weeks. | The US made a deal with Mexico in August, but relations with Canada over the trade pact had become increasingly strained in recent weeks. |
The Trump administration set Sunday as a deadline for Canada to strike a deal. | The Trump administration set Sunday as a deadline for Canada to strike a deal. |
A protectionist policy under the Mr Trump has seen the US forge ahead with individual trade deals, rejecting bigger multi-lateral trade agreements and posing a challenge to decades of global free trade. | A protectionist policy under the Mr Trump has seen the US forge ahead with individual trade deals, rejecting bigger multi-lateral trade agreements and posing a challenge to decades of global free trade. |
As part of this policy Mr Trump has also launched a trade war against China, which has already hurt companies and could curb global economic growth. | As part of this policy Mr Trump has also launched a trade war against China, which has already hurt companies and could curb global economic growth. |
Deal brings 'relief' | Deal brings 'relief' |
Jessica Murphy, BBC News Toronto | Jessica Murphy, BBC News Toronto |
This deal has been 13 months in the making - and there were times when it seemed like the finish line might never be reached. | This deal has been 13 months in the making - and there were times when it seemed like the finish line might never be reached. |
More than once US President Donald Trump threatened to tear up Nafta, or leave Canada out in the cold after coming to a bilateral agreement with Mexico in August. | More than once US President Donald Trump threatened to tear up Nafta, or leave Canada out in the cold after coming to a bilateral agreement with Mexico in August. |
The relationship between the American and Canadian leaders seemed to grow rocky as the talks dragged on. | The relationship between the American and Canadian leaders seemed to grow rocky as the talks dragged on. |
So having an agreement will come as a relief to the many industries in both the US and Canada that depend on Nafta and that have been living with uncertainty since the talks began. | So having an agreement will come as a relief to the many industries in both the US and Canada that depend on Nafta and that have been living with uncertainty since the talks began. |
Still, while Mr Trudeau has maintained he would not agree to a deal that was not in Canada's best interests, they will be waiting to get a clear picture of what concessions were made in the final hours to secure the agreement. | Still, while Mr Trudeau has maintained he would not agree to a deal that was not in Canada's best interests, they will be waiting to get a clear picture of what concessions were made in the final hours to secure the agreement. |