U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi on Friday warned the Trump administration that NAFTA should be maintained as a trilateral pact between the United States, Mexico and Canada and not just as a U.S.-Mexico arrangement. Pelosi could be the speaker of the House if Democrats win this November's congressional midterm elections. As House speaker, Pelosi sets the legislative agenda, and often has the political muscle to assure passage or defeat of initiatives. Trudeau said on Thursday he wanted a good NAFTA deal as soon as possible, but did not answer directly when asked if he felt the end of September was the final deadline for talks. Mexico said on Wednesday it had to be ready to pursue a bilateral deal with the United States if Ottawa and Washington did not come to terms.

Source: CBC News September 14, 2018 20:34 UTC