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Justin Trudeau could have been a contender.

Now he has Canada sitting on the outside as the United States and Mexico finalize an agreement in principle on what used to be called NAFTA.

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“They used to call it NAFTA, we’re going to call it the United States, Mexico trade agreement. We’ll get rid of the name NAFTA,” U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday.

It could have been the United States, Canada trade agreement.

When Trump came to office his main problems with NAFTA were centred on Mexico. Trump was taken by Trudeau, they had chemistry.

Somehow that changed.

Trudeau turned down offers of a bilateral deal, or even doing what the Mexicans have now done, negotiating with the Americans and then inviting Mexico to the table once main issues have been settled.

Canada would stand with Mexico Trudeau said.

Well Mexico didn’t stand with us.

Now there is a deal in principle and Canada is being invited back to the table to accept what is on the table or be frozen out.