LA MALBAIE, Quebec, June 10 (Reuters): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday rejected a U.S. demand for a sunset clause in NAFTA.
However he was prepared to compromise on the issue, which is holding up talks to update the 1990s-era pact.
US President Donald Trump insists that Canada and Mexico agree to a sunset clause that would allow a member nation to withdraw after five years from NAFTA.
Although Canada and Mexico say the idea is unworkable, Trump told reporters on Saturday that the new deal would contain such a provision.
Trudeau rejected the idea.
"There will not be a sunset clause ... we will not, cannot sign a trade deal that expires automatically every five years," said Trudeau.
He expressed such a view at a news conference at the end of a Group of Seven summit in Quebec.
"I think there are various discussions about alternatives that would not be that, and that would not be entirely destabilizing for a trade deal, and I think we are open to creativity," he said.
This, he suggested, could involve "a check in and a renewal."
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