NAFTA update: Freeland will returnto USTR for 1:30 this afternoon. Spoke to some sources who confirm @ddale8 story that the Canadians presented Trump’s off the record comments about Canada and NAFTA to the Americans this morning.
One source with direct knowledge of the situation says the Trump comments were “not helpful” but insisted the talks remain professional. Two additional sources insist talks remain professional and productive at this point.
Senior source says there will be a conversation between the Canadians and Americans this afternoon about schedules. Canadians have said they are willing to stay into the weekend if they can’t reach an agreement today. Conversation about logistics needs to be sorted out.
Two different sources who have been briefed on the situation tell me that Canada views this as the final stretch of NAFTA talks, and that, for now, Canada wants to stay at the table until this is done.
But the senior source with direct knowledge of the situation says the decision makers may get to a point where a lot more technical work needs to be done, and Freeland ends up having to go home.
Senior source says people very much want to go home for the holiday long weekend, but realize that may not be the reality here.
All three sources say Chapter 19 is the biggest sticking point for Canada. Very little movement from the Americans here. This is seen as a position strongly personally supported by Ambassador Lighthizer, which makes it pretty tough.
On the statement from USTR earlier today, about Canada not making Dairy concessions — senior source says that is “technically” correct, but there is an in-depth conversation about Canadian dairy concessions and what it will eventually look like.
