The Financial Post reports in its Thursday edition that pressure is mounting on the United States and Mexico to land a quick North American free-trade agreement deal. The Post's Naomi Powell writes that the U.S. is pushing for a deal in time for the Summit of the Americas on April 13 and 14. Rideau Potomac Strategy Group head Eric Miller says: "It's clear now that the U.S. is not interested in discussing NAFTA for the next two years because it's got other battles to fight. The question is what are they willing to pay to close these negotiations?" A confluence of factors is behind the U.S.'s rocket-like drive to get a deal in place. Mexico's presidential elections are set to begin in July and with leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador leading in polls, the U.S. could find itself seated across from a far more rigid opponent at the bargaining table. On the U.S. home front, negotiators are hurrying to get a deal ready for approval by the current U.S. Congress rather than face a possible Democrat-controlled U.S. House or Senate following the upcoming midterm elections. Mr. Miller says the U.S. wants to close negotiations with the neighbours so it can focus strategically on the China front.