Canada rejects angry American NAFTA criticism, says it has tabled extensive text
OTTAWA — Canada is shooting back at American criticism that it is being inflexible and unconstructive at the North American Free Trade renegotiation that has resumed this week in Montreal.
Canadian officials are taking direct aim at the narrative that its negotiators are being inflexible — or even obstinate — when it comes to discussing the controversial U.S. proposals to raise continental content on automobiles, scrap the dispute resolution mechanism, and institute a five-year sunset clause.
They say Canada has tabled complete chapter proposals on more than half of NAFTA’s 30 sections, and has put forward substantive proposals and text on every part of the entire agreement already.
Senior officials with direct knowledge of the negotiations discussed the Canadian approach with The Canadian Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the ongoing negotiations.