Pence reassures Trudeau

Photo: The Canadian Press

The Canadian government has gotten what it wanted this week during U.S. meetings: clear, public reassurances from American politicians that the North American Free Trade Agreement will be preserved, and that commerce between the countries will continue to be encouraged.

That was the message from Vice-President Mike Pence, who promised a collaborative approach with NAFTA renegotiations set to begin next month.

Pence made the remarks in a speech to dozens of state governors, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seated in the room and applauding the vice-president's remarks.

"We will modernize NAFTA for the 21st century so that it is a win-win-win for all of our trading partners in North America," as Trudeau clapped, and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland took notes throughout Pence's speech.

"I know you'll be hearing from Prime Minister Trudeau in a few minutes. Let me assure you: The United States and Canada have already built a remarkably strong relationship under these two leaders... We're grateful for the prime minister's leadership and his early outreach to this administration. President Trump recognizes that every trade relationship can improve and... we're looking forward to bringing NAFTA into the future in a way that will equally benefit both our countries."

It was a similar message from some of the state governors gathered in Rhode Island for their annual summer meetings. In meetings with Trudeau, some stressed their interest in seeing NAFTA survive and continue beyond its upcoming renegotiation.