The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, June 21, edition that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says Canada is not a national security threat to the United States. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that Mr. Ross added that a revitalized North American free-trade agreement could make the Trump administration's tariffs on steel and aluminum go away. Mr. Ross also acknowledged Wednesday that the U.S. does not have a trade deficit on steel with Canada. In fact, he said it has a surplus with in terms of dollar value. Mr. Ross made the comments in Washington to a U.S. Senate committee that is examining tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on some of that country's closest partners, including Canada. The duties are based on the premise the countries are threats to American national security under the controversial Section 232 of U.S. trade law. The remarks by Mr. Trump's point person on tariffs provided some encouragement for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. She said later on Wednesday it is "self-evident" the trade balance on steel is not tilted in Canada's favour and that it poses no national security threat. Ms. Freeland applauded Mr. Ross's observation on the trade balance.