POTUS calls the preliminary agreement with Mexico one of biggest, if not the biggest, trade deals to be made.
“It’s a big day for trade. A big day for our country. A lot of people felt we’d never get here,’ POTUS said.
“They use to call it NAFTA. We’re going to call it the United States- Mexico trade agreement. We’ll get rid of the name NAFTA. It has a bad connotation because the United States was treated very very badly for NAFTA.”
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto was patched in by phone to wish President Trump and the negotiators congratulations. “This is something very positive for the United States and Mexico,” he said.
Pena Nieto repeatedly expressed interest for Canada to be incorporated into the agreement.
POTUS told Pena Nieto the Mexican negotiators were “brilliant” and “I thought we could congratulate each other before it got out.”
POTUS said there would be a formal news conference in the near future.
POTUS said he was impressed with how President Pena Nieto and President-elect AMLO, who was also involved in some discussions, worked together.
POTUS called Pena Nieto his friend and said working with him “ has been a pleasure.”
“It’s been an honor and you’ve been my friend.”
POTUS concluded the call with Pena Nieto saying, “a job well done…. And added later in response to Pena Nieto offering saying goodbye traditional by offering “abrazos” – or hugs.
POTUS responded: “ a hug from you would be very nice.” – that drew some chuckles.
POTUS called the agreement much US manufacturers and farmers.
“Our farmers are going to be so happy,” POTUS said. “Farmers have stuck with me.”
POTUS: “Mexico has promised to immediately start purchasing as much farm product as they can.”
POTUS said whether or Canada is added or want to make a separate deal.
POTUS turned to Lighthizer for some agreement. Lighthizer said Mexico-U.S. deal would be signed at end of November. He expected US letter to be delivered to Congress by the end of the week. It will be signed by other parties in 90 days.
POTUS said he’ll be terminating NAFTA and going into the current U.S.-Mexico deal.
He warned a deal with Canada will be made, but they may not like it.
“One way or another we’ll have a deal with Canada. It’ll either be a tariff on cars or it’ll be a negotiated deal. Frankly, I tariff on cars is a much easier way to go. Perhaps, the other would be much better for Canada.”