WASHINGTON,Nov.โฃ 18 – Former President Donald Trump met with the leaders of Mexico and Canada on โขFriday โคfollowing the conclusion of โคtheโ World Cup draw, discussing trade relations and potential future collaborations. โThe trilateral meeting, held at Trump’sโค Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, included Mexican President Andrรฉs Manuel Lรณpez Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The meeting offered โฃa rare instance of engagement between the three leaders since โTrump left office in January 2021, aโ period โmarked by strained relationsโ and renegotiation of the united States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). While details released were sparse, a joint statement indicated discussions centered on strengthening economic โขties, addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, and fostering regional โขcompetitiveness.
“It was aโฃ very productive meeting,” Trump said in a โฃbrief statement to reporters.โ “We talked about trade,โ we talked about jobs, and we all agree that we โขneed to make North America the most competitive regionโ in the world.”
President Lรณpezโ Obrador echoed the sentiment, stating via social โขmedia, “We reaffirmed our commitment โto collaboration and mutual โขrespect for the benefit โof โขour peoples.” Prime Minister Trudeau’sโ office confirmed the meeting took place and highlighted the importance of maintainingโข open dialog on key economic issues.
The USMCA,which replaced the North American Free โTrade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020,has been a focal point of trade policyโ in the โregion. The agreement aimsโ to eliminate trade barriers and promote fair competition among the three countries. however,implementation has faced challenges,including disputes over energy policy and labor standards.
This meeting follows a period of heightened โขglobalโ economic uncertainty and supply chain disruptions, prompting renewed calls for closer cooperation among Northโ American nations. The World Cup draw, completed Thursday,โ provided a neutral backdrop โforโฃ the leaders to convene, allowing for a less โขformal setting for discussions.
Jeff Mason, a White House โCorrespondent for Reuters who hasโฃ covered โthe presidencies of Barack Obama, donald โฃtrump and Joe Biden, noted the significance ofโค the meeting โgiven the pastโข tensions. “This represents โคa notable shift,โ even if โsymbolic, in the relationship between these โleaders,” Masonโ said. “The fact that they were willing โฃto meet at Mar-a-Lago signals โa potential willingness to find common ground on key economic issues.”
