Trump warns he may terminate NAFTA treaty

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US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would probably be terminated at a political rally in Phoenix in the US state of Arizona.

The US, Canada, and Mexico wrapped up their first round of talks on Sunday to revamp the trade pact with little sign of a breakthrough coming. Trump reopened negotiations of the 1994 treaty out of concern that US economic interests were suffering.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal. I think we’ll probably end up terminating NAFTA at some point," Trump said.

Trucks wait in the queue for border customs control to cross into the US at the Bridge of Americas in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Aug. 15, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Suggesting a termination might help jump-start the negotiations, Trump said, "I personally don’t think you can make a deal without a termination."

Following Trump's remarks, Mexican foreign minister Luis Videgaray tweeted: "No surprises: we're already in a negotiation. Mexico will remain at the table with serenity, firmness and with the national interest ahead."

In a joint statement issued at the end of five days of negotiations in Washington, DC, the top trade officials from the three countries said Mexico would host the next round of talks from September 1 to 5.

The talks will then move to Canada in late September, then return to the US in October, with additional rounds planned for later this year.

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Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency