Making the North American Free Trade Agreement more modern and progressive is Canada’s goal, leading up to negotiations this week.
As Canada, the U.S., and Mexico prepare for talks on Wednesday, Chrystia Freeland says priorities include new chapters on gender equality and Indigenous rights.
Speaking in Ottawa, the Foreign Affairs Minister says they also want to add protections for labour and the environment.
“They are how we guarantee that the modernized NAFTA will not only be an exemplary free trade deal, it will also be a fair trade deal.”
Address by Minister Freeland on the modernization of #NAFTA https://t.co/VQHUeN4cCh pic.twitter.com/OvZNBzmSpV
— Canada Trade (@CanadaTrade) August 14, 2017
Freeland says Canada wants to forbid all three countries from weakening environmental protections to attract investment, for example.
She adds a new NAFTA would also support efforts to fight climate change.
Canada’s wishlist for the trade deal also includes increases to wages in Mexico to make auto plants in the US and Canada more affordable. (Photo: Screenshot via https://www.facebook.com/freelandchrystia/)
