The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Canada and Mexico are working
together behind the scenes to present
a united front against U.S. President
Donald Trump's protectionist
North American free-trade agreement demands.
The Globe's Adrian Morrow writes that the two sides hold regular back channel
discussions
to compare notes on the U.S. positions
and keep one another up to
speed on their strategies.
As the fifth round of talks opens this
week in Mexico City, the pact's junior partners
have never been more aligned.
They plan to hold firm against U.S.
demands on autos, procurement and
a sunset clause, while seeking quick
agreement on less contentious
issues. Mexican former deputy foreign minister Andres Rozental
says: "My impression is that there has
been a fair amount of consultation
and co-ordinated strategy developing
between Canada and Mexico. And I
think that's positive."
Ottawa, however, is playing something of
a double game. Even as it extensively
co-ordinates its efforts with Mexico, sources say Canada would agree to
a two-way negotiation with the United
States if NAFTA talks break down.
Under exactly which circumstances
Canada would ditch Mexico
are unclear.
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