Canada took a first step toward ratifying a new North American trade agreement on Monday just three days ahead of US Vice President Mike Pence's trip to Ottawa to discuss the passage of the treaty.

Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland presented what is known as a "ways and means motion" to the House of Commons, which opens the way for the formal presentation of a bill.

The deal known as the USMCA, which would replace the 25-year-old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-us-reach-nafta-deal-report-168658">North American Free Trade Agreement</a>, has yet to be approved by legislatures of the three participating countries - Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The United States struck deals on May 17 to lift tariffs on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-lifts-steel-aluminum-tariffs-on-canada-mexico-219657">steel and aluminium imports from Canada and Mexico</a>, removing a major obstacle to legislative approval. Pence is due to meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Thursday.

The United States is Canada's top trading partner, taking in 75 per cent of its goods exports. Reaching a new trade deal had been a priority for Trudeau's Liberal government, and a national election is five months away.

Freeland said she had spoken over the weekend with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and less than two weeks ago with Mexico's government about their ratification process.

The administration of US President Donald Trump, a Republican, negotiated the deal but some US Democratic lawmakers demand stronger enforcement provisions for USMCA's new labour and environmental standards.

John Manley, a former Canadian Liberal foreign minister, said on Friday that Canada should pass the new treaty this summer.

"To fail to pass it is going to be a signal to the US Congress that it is still open for renegotiations," Manley told Reuters.

Some US lawmakers have said passing the treaty would become more difficult after the congressional summer recess due to budget battles and increased campaigning ahead of the November 2020 presidential election.

Canada took a first step toward ratifying a new North American trade agreement on Monday just three days ahead of US Vice President Mike Pence's trip to Ottawa to discuss the passage of the treaty.

Canada took a first step toward ratifying a new North American trade agreement on Monday just three days ahead of US Vice President Mike Pence's trip to Ottawa to discuss the passage of the treaty. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland presented what is known as a "ways and means motion" to the House of Commons, which opens the way for the formal presentation of a bill. The deal known as the USMCA, which would replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, has yet to be approved by legislatures of the three participating countries - Canada, Mexico and the United States. The United States struck deals on May 17 to lift tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada and Mexico, removing a major obstacle to legislative approval. Pence is due to meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Thursday. The United States is Canada's top trading partner, taking in 75 per cent of its goods exports. Reaching a new trade deal had been a priority for Trudeau's Liberal government, and a national election is five months away. Freeland said she had spoken over the weekend with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and less than two weeks ago with Mexico's government about their ratification process. The administration of US President Donald Trump, a Republican, negotiated the deal but some US Democratic lawmakers demand stronger enforcement provisions for USMCA's new labour and environmental standards. John Manley, a former Canadian Liberal foreign minister, said on Friday that Canada should pass the new treaty this summer. "To fail to pass it is going to be a signal to the US Congress that it is still open for renegotiations," Manley told Reuters. Some US lawmakers have said passing the treaty would become more difficult after the congressional summer recess due to budget battles and increased campaigning ahead of the November 2020 presidential election.

Canada takes first step toward ratifying trade deal with US, Mexico

The United States cares more about getting a good agreement than quickly concluding the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the US Treasury secretary said Sunday.

An informal deadline came and went this week for reaching an agreement in time for the Republican-controlled Congress to approve it before the November 6 midterm elections.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Friday there was still "wiggle room" in the legislative calendar, giving negotiators a couple more weeks.

US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, however, acknowledged that the sides, though working hard to get a deal, are still "far apart." &nbsp

"The president is more determined to have a good deal than he is worried about any deadline," Mnuchin said on "Fox News Sunday."

"Whether we pass it in this Congress or pass it in a new Congress, the president is determined that we negotiate NAFTA," he added.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the trade agreement if a satisfactory deal cannot be reached.

He blames NAFTA, which has molded trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada since 1994, for the loss of millions of US jobs and dislocations in the auto and other industries.

Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Mnuchin said the administration was focused on getting an agreement.

"I can tell you I've been in contact with the finance ministers in both Canada and Mexico. President Trump and (Canadian Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau had a very good conversation.

"We are still far apart but we are working every day to renegotiate this agreement and that's what we are focused on," he said.

On Friday, Trudeau said he was "feeling positive" a deal would be reached, saying, "It's right down to the last conversations."

He described trade in automobiles and auto parts as the last major sticking point in the negotiations to revamp the trade agreement. The United States wants to increase the amount of American content in cars eligible to receive duty-free treatment.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the trade agreement if a satisfactory deal cannot be reached

The United States cares more about getting a good agreement than quickly concluding the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the US Treasury secretary said Sunday. An informal deadline came and went this week for reaching an agreement in time for the Republican-controlled Congress to approve it before the November 6 midterm elections. House Speaker Paul Ryan said Friday there was still "wiggle room" in the legislative calendar, giving negotiators a couple more weeks. US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, however, acknowledged that the sides, though working hard to get a deal, are still "far apart." "The president is more determined to have a good deal than he is worried about any deadline," Mnuchin said on "Fox News Sunday." "Whether we pass it in this Congress or pass it in a new Congress, the president is determined that we negotiate NAFTA," he added. Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the trade agreement if a satisfactory deal cannot be reached. He blames NAFTA, which has molded trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada since 1994, for the loss of millions of US jobs and dislocations in the auto and other industries. Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Mnuchin said the administration was focused on getting an agreement. "I can tell you I've been in contact with the finance ministers in both Canada and Mexico. President Trump and (Canadian Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau had a very good conversation. "We are still far apart but we are working every day to renegotiate this agreement and that's what we are focused on," he said. On Friday, Trudeau said he was "feeling positive" a deal would be reached, saying, "It's right down to the last conversations." He described trade in automobiles and auto parts as the last major sticking point in the negotiations to revamp the trade agreement. The United States wants to increase the amount of American content in cars eligible to receive duty-free treatment.

US looking for 'good deal' on NAFTA: Mnuchin

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday backed air strikes by the United States and its allies on Syria's chemical weapons program but Argentina, Brazil and Peru voiced caution during a regional summit about the escalating military action.

Speaking at the Summit of the Americas in Peru, Trudeau and several other Western Hemisphere leaders forcefully condemned the use of chemical weapons, following a suspected poison gas attack last week in a Damascus suburb that killed up to 75 people and sparked international outcry.

Washington blamed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government for the attack and, together with Britain and France, launched missile strikes overnight on what it said were Syrian chemical weapons facilities.

"Canada stands with our friends in this necessary response and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in last week's attack," Trudeau said in his speech. "Those responsible must be brought to justice."

But the retaliatory action drew pleas for caution from several Latin American countries.

"There's deep concern in Brazil with the escalation of military conflict in Syria," Brazilian President Michel Temer told the summit. "It's time to find permanent solutions based on international law to a war that has been going for far too long and ended too many lives."

Peru, a non-permanent member of the UN&nbsp;Security Council, called for moderation from all parties involved in Syria and said it was working to find a political solution, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri also appealed for greater coordination on Syria "in the framework of existing international commitments", remarks later echoed by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Outside the summit, the strikes drew swift condemnation from left-leaning governments in Bolivia and Cuba, outspoken critics of US&nbsp;influence.

But Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, a close US&nbsp;ally in Latin America, appeared to back Washington as he condemned chemical weapons.

"We support actions to punish their use and seek their total elimination," Santos said.

The Pentagon said the missile strikes in Syria had hit every target. It said the military action was aimed at delivering an unambiguous signal to the Syrian government and deterring the future use of chemical weapons.

The official theme of the Summit of the Americas is the fight against corruption. Many countries in attendance are also expected to condemn a pending election in Venezuela.

But Syria, China and trade loomed over the talks on Saturday as Washington seeks to advance the agenda of U.S. President Donald Trump, which is widely unpopular in the region.

Trump canceled his attendance at the summit to focus on Syria. US Vice President Mike Pence, filling in for him, was expected to discuss Syria in his speech on Saturday and in meetings with heads of state.

Nafta talks

Pence met with Pena Nieto privately at the summit. The Mexican leader told reporters they would discuss not just the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) but also maintaining a relationship of "mutual respect" between their two countries.

Pence and Pena Nieto kept their remarks to reporters extremely brief - in contrast to the more expansive and warmer tone struck by Pence and Trudeau during the public part of a meeting held minutes earlier.

Trudeau said there was "positive momentum" on reworking the NAFTA accord - which groups Canada, Mexico and the United States - while Pence said talks were encouraging.

"As the president said very recently, we think we're close," Pence said before starting the meeting with Pena Nieto. "We are hopeful that we can conclude a successful renegotiation of NAFTA."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday backed air strikes by the United States and its allies on Syria's chemical weapons program but Argentina, Brazil and Peru voiced caution during a regional summit about the escalating military action

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday backed air strikes by the United States and its allies on Syria's chemical weapons program but Argentina, Brazil and Peru voiced caution during a regional summit about the escalating military action. Speaking at the Summit of the Americas in Peru, Trudeau and several other Western Hemisphere leaders forcefully condemned the use of chemical weapons, following a suspected poison gas attack last week in a Damascus suburb that killed up to 75 people and sparked international outcry. Washington blamed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government for the attack and, together with Britain and France, launched missile strikes overnight on what it said were Syrian chemical weapons facilities. "Canada stands with our friends in this necessary response and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in last week's attack," Trudeau said in his speech. "Those responsible must be brought to justice." But the retaliatory action drew pleas for caution from several Latin American countries. "There's deep concern in Brazil with the escalation of military conflict in Syria," Brazilian President Michel Temer told the summit. "It's time to find permanent solutions based on international law to a war that has been going for far too long and ended too many lives." Peru, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, called for moderation from all parties involved in Syria and said it was working to find a political solution, according to a foreign ministry statement. Argentine President Mauricio Macri also appealed for greater coordination on Syria "in the framework of existing international commitments", remarks later echoed by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Outside the summit, the strikes drew swift condemnation from left-leaning governments in Bolivia and Cuba, outspoken critics of US influence. But Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, a close US ally in Latin America, appeared to back Washington as he condemned chemical weapons. "We support actions to punish their use and seek their total elimination," Santos said. The Pentagon said the missile strikes in Syria had hit every target. It said the military action was aimed at delivering an unambiguous signal to the Syrian government and deterring the future use of chemical weapons. The official theme of the Summit of the Americas is the fight against corruption. Many countries in attendance are also expected to condemn a pending election in Venezuela. But Syria, China and trade loomed over the talks on Saturday as Washington seeks to advance the agenda of U.S. President Donald Trump, which is widely unpopular in the region. Trump canceled his attendance at the summit to focus on Syria. US Vice President Mike Pence, filling in for him, was expected to discuss Syria in his speech on Saturday and in meetings with heads of state. Nafta talks Pence met with Pena Nieto privately at the summit. The Mexican leader told reporters they would discuss not just the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) but also maintaining a relationship of "mutual respect" between their two countries. Pence and Pena Nieto kept their remarks to reporters extremely brief - in contrast to the more expansive and warmer tone struck by Pence and Trudeau during the public part of a meeting held minutes earlier. Trudeau said there was "positive momentum" on reworking the NAFTA accord - which groups Canada, Mexico and the United States - while Pence said talks were encouraging. "As the president said very recently, we think we're close," Pence said before starting the meeting with Pena Nieto. "We are hopeful that we can conclude a successful renegotiation of NAFTA."

Canada backs Syria strikes but others concerned at Americas summit

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump plans to offer Canada and Mexico a 30-day exemption from planned tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, which could be extended based on progress in NAFTA talks, a White House official said on Wednesday night.

The move, first reported by the Washington Post, followed comments earlier in the day by a White House spokeswoman that the impending tariffs could exclude Canada, Mexico and a clutch of other countries &quot;based on national security.&quot;

Trump was expected to sign a presidential proclamation to establish the tariffs during a ceremony on Thursday, but a White House official said later it could slide into Friday because documents had to be cleared through a legal process.

The president has faced mounting opposition to the tariffs from prominent congressional Republicans and business officials worried about their potential impact on the economy.

The tariffs would impose duties of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium to counter cheap imports, especially from China, that the president says undermine US&nbsp;industry and jobs.

A senior US&nbsp;official said the measures would take effect about two weeks after Trump signs the proclamation.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a regular media briefing on Wednesday: &quot;We expect that the president will sign something by the end of the week and there are potential carve-outs for Mexico and Canada based on national security, and possibly other countries as well based on that process.

&quot;It will be country by country, and it will be based on national security,&quot; she said.

Trump had said on Monday that Canada and Mexico would only be excluded after the successful renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Efforts by Trump and US&nbsp;trade negotiators to link the NAFTA talks to the duties have received short shrift from Ottawa and Mexico City.

Action that does not include exemptions risks retaliatory tariffs on US&nbsp;exports - not least by Canada and Europe - and complicates already tough trade talks on NAFTA.

The benchmark Standard &amp; Poor&#39;s 500 stock index ended slightly lower following a volatile session after Trump promised the tariffs but then said Mexico and Canada could be exempt.

The S&amp;P closed 0.05 per cent lower after being down 0.4 per cent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 0.33 per cent. The US&nbsp;dollar pared gains to end little changed, while the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso pared some losses.

Markets were rattled by Tuesday&#39;s resignation announcement by Trump&#39;s chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn, who was seen as a bulwark against Trump&#39;s economic nationalism.

Cohn&#39;s departure, after an internal White House battle over Trump&#39;s plans to impose the tariffs, clears the way for greater influence by trade hardliners such as Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Peter Navarro, Trump&#39;s trade policy adviser.

Sanders said Trump was considering several candidates to fill Cohn&#39;s position, while Navarro said he was not short-listed for the job.

China

In his first tweet on Wednesday, the Republican president showed no sign of backing away from the tariffs, saying the United States had lost more than 55,000 factories and 6 million manufacturing jobs and let its trade deficit soar since the 1989-1993 administration of President George H.W. Bush.

Later, his tweets turned to trade with China, demanding that Beijing lay out plans for reducing its trade surplus with the United States by $1 billion, which appeared to have been raised during a meeting with a top Chinese official last week.

&quot;China has been asked to develop a plan for the year of a One Billion Dollar reduction in their massive Trade Deficit with the United States,&quot; Trump tweeted, without saying where the message had been conveyed.

China ran a record goods trade surplus with the United States last year of $375.2 billion

On Wednesday, more than 100 House of Representative Republicans, including Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee that oversees US&nbsp;trade policy, wrote to Trump praising him for standing up to &quot;bad actors,&quot; but emphasized that fairly traded products should be excluded from the tariffs.

In a separate letter, Iowa&#39;s congressional delegation, including two Republican senators, warned that the tariffs would hurt the state&#39;s farmers and manufacturing.

The head of the influential US&nbsp;Chamber of Commerce, Tom Donohue, warned about the impact to the economy.

&quot;We won&#39;t drive the economy to over 3 per cent growth or continue to create jobs if we go down this path,&quot; said Donohue, the chamber&#39;s president and chief executive. &quot;We urge the administration to take this risk seriously.&quot;

Trump had said on Monday that Canada and Mexico would only be excluded after the successful renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement

US President Donald Trump plans to offer Canada and Mexico a 30-day exemption from planned tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, which could be extended based on progress in NAFTA talks, a White House official said on Wednesday night. The move, first reported by the Washington Post, followed comments earlier in the day by a White House spokeswoman that the impending tariffs could exclude Canada, Mexico and a clutch of other countries "based on national security." Trump was expected to sign a presidential proclamation to establish the tariffs during a ceremony on Thursday, but a White House official said later it could slide into Friday because documents had to be cleared through a legal process. The president has faced mounting opposition to the tariffs from prominent congressional Republicans and business officials worried about their potential impact on the economy. The tariffs would impose duties of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium to counter cheap imports, especially from China, that the president says undermine US industry and jobs. A senior US official said the measures would take effect about two weeks after Trump signs the proclamation. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a regular media briefing on Wednesday: "We expect that the president will sign something by the end of the week and there are potential carve-outs for Mexico and Canada based on national security, and possibly other countries as well based on that process. "It will be country by country, and it will be based on national security," she said. Trump had said on Monday that Canada and Mexico would only be excluded after the successful renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Efforts by Trump and US trade negotiators to link the NAFTA talks to the duties have received short shrift from Ottawa and Mexico City. Action that does not include exemptions risks retaliatory tariffs on US exports - not least by Canada and Europe - and complicates already tough trade talks on NAFTA. The benchmark Standard & Poor's 500 stock index ended slightly lower following a volatile session after Trump promised the tariffs but then said Mexico and Canada could be exempt. The S&P closed 0.05 per cent lower after being down 0.4 per cent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 0.33 per cent. The US dollar pared gains to end little changed, while the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso pared some losses. Markets were rattled by Tuesday's resignation announcement by Trump's chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn, who was seen as a bulwark against Trump's economic nationalism. Cohn's departure, after an internal White House battle over Trump's plans to impose the tariffs, clears the way for greater influence by trade hardliners such as Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Peter Navarro, Trump's trade policy adviser. Sanders said Trump was considering several candidates to fill Cohn's position, while Navarro said he was not short-listed for the job. China In his first tweet on Wednesday, the Republican president showed no sign of backing away from the tariffs, saying the United States had lost more than 55,000 factories and 6 million manufacturing jobs and let its trade deficit soar since the 1989-1993 administration of President George H.W. Bush. Later, his tweets turned to trade with China, demanding that Beijing lay out plans for reducing its trade surplus with the United States by $1 billion, which appeared to have been raised during a meeting with a top Chinese official last week. "China has been asked to develop a plan for the year of a One Billion Dollar reduction in their massive Trade Deficit with the United States," Trump tweeted, without saying where the message had been conveyed. China ran a record goods trade surplus with the United States last year of $375.2 billion On Wednesday, more than 100 House of Representative Republicans, including Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee that oversees US trade policy, wrote to Trump praising him for standing up to "bad actors," but emphasized that fairly traded products should be excluded from the tariffs. In a separate letter, Iowa's congressional delegation, including two Republican senators, warned that the tariffs would hurt the state's farmers and manufacturing. The head of the influential US Chamber of Commerce, Tom Donohue, warned about the impact to the economy. "We won't drive the economy to over 3 per cent growth or continue to create jobs if we go down this path," said Donohue, the chamber's president and chief executive. "We urge the administration to take this risk seriously."

Trump plans to offer Canada, Mexico 30-day tariff exemption: Official