The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, July 15, edition that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged a gathering of U.S. governors on Friday to help prevent a resurgence of protectionism. The Globe's Steven Chase writes that Canadian officials believe North American free-trade agreement talks could start within days, or at most weeks. August 16is the first day that the Trump administration is legally permitted to begin the discussions. The United States has requested the first set of negotiations take place either in Detroit or Pittsburgh, both highly symbolic choices because they are in the Rust Belt, a region that President Donald Trump has said has suffered from unfair trade. However, no decision on the location of talks has yet been reached. Mr. Trudeau is the first sitting Canadian PM to attend the twice-yearly National Governors Association meetings, where he tried Friday to build as many allies as possible while Canada awaits Mr. Trump's demands for redrawing NAFTA to tilt the accord more in favour of U.S. interests. The PM said Friday that Canada is ready to begin talks. The United States is expected to release its official negotiating objectives for NAFTA on Monday.