(Video screengrab from CBSA-asfc.gc.ca)

Sharp differences over labour surface at NAFTA trade talks

Mexico City | Reuters — Tensions over sharp differences in pay between Mexican workers and their Canadian and U.S. counterparts surfaced on Sunday as negotiators discussed labour market rules in talks to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement. Canada’s biggest private-sector union said NAFTA should be scrapped if Mexico cannot agree to better labour […] Read more



(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. retail, dining, ag sectors rip NAFTA produce proposal

Washington | Reuters — U.S. retail, restaurant and agriculture groups have weighed in against proposals regarding fresh produce put forward by U.S. negotiators as part of an effort to renegotiate NAFTA, according to letters sent to U.S. officials. Talks to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement resume this weekend in Mexico, the second round […] Read more



(CBSA via YouTube)

NAFTA negotiators hone in on origin rules, dispute settlement

Washington | Reuters — U.S., Canadian and Mexican negotiators on Friday began digging into some of the thorniest issues in modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement, including rules of origin for goods produced in the region, services trade and a controversial dispute settlement system. A copy of the NAFTA negotiating agenda obtained by Reuters […] Read more




(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Canada suggests it could quit NAFTA talks over dispute mechanism

Ottawa | Reuters –– Canada laid down a tough line ahead of talks on modernizing NAFTA on Monday, suggesting it could walk away if the U.S. pushed to remove a key dispute-settlement mechanism in the trade deal. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, giving the most substantive outline yet of Canada’s goals, said she was “very optimistic” […] Read more


(CBSA via YouTube)

Ahead of NAFTA talks, Canada says dispute mechanism essential

Ottawa | Reuters — An effective dispute settlement mechanism is essential in any trade agreement, Canada’s foreign affairs minister said on Friday, less than a week before the first round of negotiations on the North American trade pact. Canada’s desire to include a dispute settlement mechanism in a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) […] Read more

Don’t worry about NAFTA talks, dairy farmers told

Don’t worry about NAFTA talks, dairy farmers told

The free trade deal is being renegotiated but Ottawa is vowing to resist any move to undercut supply management

Reading Time: 2 minutes Don’t worry, we have your back. That was the message delivered behind closed doors to the nation’s dairy leaders at the recent annual general meeting of the Dairy Farmers of Canada. The AGM was held just as Washington was releasing its negotiating objectives on talks to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement, which will […] Read more