Trade representatives from the US, Canada and Mexico failed to reach a NAFTA renegotiation deal Friday, according to several news outlets, and talks will reportedly continue next week.
Earlier Friday, Donald Trump told Congress he wants to sign a new trade agreement in 90 days, which would allow the current Mexican president to sign the deal before the new president takes office Dec. 1.
Negotiations were complicated by the leak Friday of Trump’s off-the-record remarks to Bloomberg, in which he said he would not compromise with Canada or publicly state his positions because “it's going to be so insulting they're not going to be able to make a deal,” according to a report from the Toronto Star.
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued a statement about the negotiations, in which he said the talks with Canada were “constructive, and we made progress.”
Despite no formal agreement being in place, Lighthizer said the Trump administration is prepared to present a trade agreement with Mexico—and Canada, “if it is willing”—to Congress within 30 days.
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland was set to hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday. Earlier in the day, she said her country would not strike an agreement unless it was satisfied with it.
"We're looking for a good deal, not just any deal. We will only agree to a deal that is a good deal for Canada. We're not there yet," she told reporters.
In a statement before the break in negotiations was announced, the Steel Manufacturers Association issued a statement in support of a trade agreement that involves all three countries. “The Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) strongly supports a trilateral agreement to modernize the way trade is conducted in North America. We urge the three governments to quickly conclude talks for an agreement that represents 21st century standards, expands economic growth and promotes the production and use of domestic steel in the region.” said SMA President Philip K. Bell.