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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 4 hours 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 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) gives the US greater access to Canada's dairy market and allows extra imports of Canadian cars.
However, the joint US-Canada statement did not give details of the agreement. The deal has 34 chapters and was agreed after six weeks of negotiations.
US President Donald Trump has long sought to change Nafta, which governed more than $1tn (£767bn) in trade.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.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".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.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. The exact details of the agreement were released in the early hours of Monday and contain updated arrangements for 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.
Canada is also reported to have secured some protections for its automobile industry against potential US tariffs. Canada has 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, it was reported.
How was the deal reached?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' A win for Trump?
Jessica Murphy, BBC News Toronto Andrew Walker, BBC Economics Correspondent
This deal has been 13 months in the making - and there were times when it seemed like the finish line might never be reached. Is this a win for President Trump? He certainly has got Canada and Mexico to agree some important things he wanted.
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. It will be harder, or at least more expensive, for car makers to use parts from outside North America, notably from China. American dairy farmers are getting better access to the highly protected Canadian market.
The relationship between the American and Canadian leaders seemed to grow rocky as the talks dragged on. There may well be some political benefit for him in the forthcoming Congressional elections.
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. But he has another wider objective - to reduce the imbalance in US international trade, with individual trade partners and globally.
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. The US imports more than it exports and President Trump wants to change that. Judging whether he has won in that sense will need more time.
However, many economists don't think trade balances are primarily the outcome of trade policy - instead they reflect government borrowing, private investment and savings decisions and international capital movements.