Key facts
- Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about the future of the North American trade pact.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reported detailed technical trade talks with U.S. officials at the G7 summit.
- Trump stated a preference against a new trade agreement but remained open to it.
- Canada and the U.S. have specific trade issues, like forestry products, to address.
- The current trade agreement requires renewal approval by July 1.
Returning from the G7 summit in France, Donald Trump conveyed ambiguous messages concerning the future of the North American trade agreement. Trump stated that the United States would fare better without the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and that he would prefer not to have a new one, though he added he was open to the possibility. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reported that he and his team engaged in a series of detailed, technical discussions on trade issues with U.S. officials at the summit, including conversations with Trump. Carney noted that Canada and the U.S. can work on specific issues, such as trade in forestry products. The three signatory countries must approve a renewal of their existing agreement by July 1 or signal their intention to exit, a process that would take 10 years and allow time for alterations.