The National Post reports in its Friday edition that America's top trade negotiator Robert Lighthizer said Thursday he is optimistic the United States can strike a new trade deal with Mexico soon, and hopes that will compel Canada to make the compromises it has so far avoided. The Post's Tom Backwell writes that Mr. Lighthizer appeared to confirm indications that North American free-trade agreement negotiations were dividing into separate, bilateral talks, a day after Canada and Mexico pledged to push for a continued, three-way process. Still, he said he thinks an overall accord can be wrapped up by the end of next month. Mr. Lighthizer was scheduled to meet Thursday with Mexico's visiting economy minister to discuss NAFTA, Canada being notably absent from the session. "My hope is that we will before very long have a conclusion with respect to Mexico and that as a result of that, Canada will come in and compromise," Mr. Lighthizer told a hearing of the U.S. Senate's appropriations committee Thursday. "I don't believe they have compromised in the same way that the U.S. has or that Mexico has." Mr. Lighthizer appeared to indicate Thursday the end result would be a single, updated NAFTA, not two separate accords.