The next NAFTA Modernization negotiation round will take place in Montreal, Quebec on January 23-28, 2018.  Will this be the last round of the negotiations?  Will President Trump threaten to withdraw from NAFTA when the negotiators are gathering on Canadian soil?  Or, will there be a seventh round in the United States in early March?  Will President Trump wait for the seventh meeting to announce he will trigger the withdrawal procedures?  Originally, seven rounds of negotiations were contemplated.

Canada is now talking about life after NAFTA.  The negotiating threat has run its course.  There is no more leverage to be gained by the words.  Canadian officials and business people continue to warn of the damage that will result from a withdrawal.  The American people are well aware that Canada tried very hard to issue the warnings – did those warnings fall on ears who would not listen?