US and Canada narrowly beat deadline to ‘save NAFTA’ after LAST-MINUTE talks

Canada signed the agreement to save the three-country deal according to both US and Canadian sources.

However, it is not known whether President Trump, a fierce NAFTA critic, has yet signed off on the detail.

The new deal will allow additional access to Canadian markets for US dairy farmers whilst protecting Canadian car makers from American tariffs.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland abandoned plans to give her country’s annual UN address on Monday, in order to focus on the negotiations.

The third NAFTA member, Mexico, had already agreed a bilateral deal with the US.

Mexico’s Economy Ministry had previously stated that if Canada and the US reached an agreement NAFTA would survive, otherwise Mexico intended to push ahead with the deal reached with the bilateral US at the end of August.

Canadian Prime Minister held a Cabinet meeting at 10pm local time (1am GMT Monday).

President Trump has reportedly been kept updated on negotiations by White House advisor Jared Kushner and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

Further details of the deal are expected to be released imminently.

More to follow…