By Paul Vieira

 

OTTAWA--Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday he has yet to decide whether to participate in a summit in Washington next week with President Trump and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to mark the entry into force of a new North American trade pact.

Talks are going on between U.S. and Canadian officials about whether a trilateral gathering makes sense, Mr. Trudeau told reporters at a press conference in Gatineau, Quebec.

He said there are issues he would like to address, among them concerns over the threat of new U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made metals, and a recent surge of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. At present, Canada has closed its borders to nonessential travel from the U.S. until July 21.

Mr. Trudeau said a factor weighing on his decision to attend is whether he would have to self-isolate. Canada has restricted access at its borders, and those allowed to enter are required to go into quarantine for a two-week period to mitigate the risk of a spread of the new coronavirus.

"At all times, we will follow all the rules and the advice of public health," Mr. Trudeau said.

Mr. Lopez Obrador is scheduled to visit next week the White House, July 8 and 9, for a meeting meant to mark the start of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade pact, or USMCA.

Next week appears to be a busy one for Mr. Trudeau. He said Friday he will host a virtual retreat of cabinet members over a two-day period, in which the economic recovery, the threat of a second wave of Covid-19 cases, and the fight against racism would top the agenda. Further, Canada's Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, is scheduled to deliver an economic update on Wednesday.

 

Write to Paul Vieira at paul.vieira@wsj.com

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 03, 2020 13:40 ET (17:40 GMT)

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