Washington - The top trade officials of the United States, Canada and Mexico pledged to boost ties but failed to resolve key trade disputes as they met in Dallas on Monday. In a joint statement, the three countries touted the economic benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and said they were committed to finding "new and creative ways" to boost trade ties.
But Canadian Trade Minister Stockwell Day said there was no deal with the United States on the so-called "Buy American" provisions of the 787-billion-dollar stimulus package, which bars Canadian companies from participating in some public spending projects.
"There is progress, but how soon it will be resolved I don't know," Day said on the sidelines of the gathering, according to Bloomberg News.
Gerardo Ruiz Mateos, Mexico's secretary of the economy, said he was still seeking common ground on allowing Mexican trucks to enter the United States - a restriction that prompted Mexico to slap 2.4- billion-dollars worth of tariffs on US products.
