Mexico, Canada react to US threat of terminating NAFTA

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Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray called Trump’s comments to terminate the re-negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) a negotiating tactic, not a surprise, adding, "He’s negotiating in his own particular style." Videgaray made the remarks on Mexican television network, Televisa.

The first round of NAFTA negotiations wrapped up last week, with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer making a harsh American position clear in opening remarks:

President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Aug. 23, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"I want to be clear that he is not interested in a mere tweaking of a few provisions and a couple of updated chapters. We feel that NAFTA has fundamentally failed many, many Americans and needs major improvement."

Mexico is set to host the next round of NAFTA talks next month.

In response to a request for a statement from CGTN, Canadian Foreign Minister spokesperson, Adam Austen, wrote via email: "As we said last week, trade negotiations often have moments of heated rhetoric. Our priorities remain the same, and we will continue to work hard to modernize NAFTA, supporting millions of middle class jobs."