
US challenges Canada’s dairy quotas in first test of new trade agreement
Claims Canada’s distribution of its tariff-rate quotas is unfair to American farmers.
Canada’s response on tariffs won’t be bound by USMCA: negotiator
Trade negotiator Steve Verheul says what actions Canada takes depends on what the US does.
Lighthizer promises enforcement as USMA comes into force
USTR has named 10 people to its roster of arbitrators under the agreement’s dispute-settlement mechanism.

Tough talk, tariff threats resurface as USMCA readies for its debut
Trump’s “iron fist of zero-tolerance enforcement” aimed at aluminum looms large.
China says trade envoys agree on phone to continue talks
Follows Beijing’s announcement of new guidelines for the protection of patents and copyrights.

UPDATE: US House breaks, no new NAFTA tabled for ratification
Trade experts wonder if Trump will be driven to invoke the six-month notice period to withdraw from the current agreement?
US, China brace for long haul in trade dispute
Both sides turning up the heat while implementing measures to soften the fallout at home.

Freeland leaves DC with no tariff deal, despite early US optimism
Foreign Affairs minister expressed optimism over incremental progress, but no indication of a resolution close at hand.
US plans to hike tariffs May 10, says China broke promises
Chinese officials “were trying to go back on some of the language” negotiated in earlier rounds of talks.

USMCA getting a boost from Trump, business groups
Some members of Congress call for changes and there’s a push to lift steel and aluminum tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico.

Good-bye NAFTA, hello USMCA: Canada inks new trade deal with US, Mexico
More access to dairy but Canada saves dispute provision, accommodation reached on Section 232 tariffs.
Canada US reach deal to stay in trade pact with Mexico
US farmers get more access to the Canadian dairy market, but NAFTA dispute-resolution process stays.
US, Canada pulling all nighters in talks to revamp NAFTA
Pressure grows to reach a deal by the end of the month when Lighthizer must make public a copy of the agreement with Mexico.

Freeland to return to NAFTA talks in Washington this week
Intense discussions continue but stalling over dispute settlement mechanism.
Freeland briefs PM on NAFTA, not returning to Washington immediately
Lead negotiator Steve Verheul and David MacNaughton, Canada’s ambassador to the US, back in action on Sept. 14.

Freeland returns to Washington for high level NAFTA negotiations
Still stuck on dairy, culture exemption and dispute resolution mechanism.

US-Mexico NAFTA talks minus Canada: feds insist they’re encouraged
A positive sign for the future of the trade deal – even if Canada wasn’t invited to take part: senior official
Freeland heads to Washington as NAFTA hangs in balance
Partners working around the clock to get a deal in time for the current Congress, but time is running out.

NAFTA’s big sticking point: major gaps between US, Mexico on autos
Mexico differing on auto parts that benefit production in high-wage jurisdictions.
Push is on as NAFTA countries seek a deal before elections
Lighthizer sees the window for a deal only open for the next one or two weeks.
US China trade talks centre on rivalry over advanced technologies
Trump seeks concessions over policies that force US companies to share technology with Chinese partners.

Canada, US spar over NAFTA sunset clause
Freeland and Lighthizer people clash over late stage sticking point.
New NAFTA must lower Canada’s ‘dairy wall: Senior US legislator
Democrat Chuck Schumer says opening up the market must be a top priority.

80% chance of new NAFTA deal announced within a month: Mexico
Officials are still negotiating technical details in Washington after their political bosses held talks last week.

World trading order facing biggest threats since Second World War: Freeland
Trump administration wants an agreement in principle on the continental trade pact in the coming weeks.

Canada cites big ‘gaps’ to quick NAFTA deal in face of ‘hopeful’ Lighthizer
Chief NAFTA negotiator says there’s significant work to be done on the core, most important issues.
Lighthizer hopeful of a NAFTA deal in principle soon
Trump administration fears talks dragging into more uncertain political environment.

US NAFTA proposal pushes for higher auto wages in Mexico
Formula would create incentives for car companies to pay wages far higher than the current average US$2.04 per hour.

NAFTA agreement possible as auto irritant nearly solved
Canada’s top diplomat in Washington is suggesting a deal could be in place by next month.
Which countries will dodge tariff axe? Answer by end of April
Trump administration negotiating exemptions with the EU, South Korea, Argentina and Australia.

NAFTA progress: Movement on automotive offers reason for optimism
Americans are showing signs of compromise on the auto content issue.
Verheul says Trump tactics hamstring US NAFTA negotiators
Current talks the most unusual negotiation Canada’s chief negotiator has ever been involved in.