Reports in the Canadian press on Monday cast some doubt on the narrative out of White House as to how President Donald Trump changed his mind about pulling out of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Initial press accounts from American media outlets right after Trump decided against nixing NAFTA suggested that the President was persuaded by his aides and impromptu pleas from the leaders of Canada and Mexico.
White House officials told the Associated Press on Monday that Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, served as a conduit between Canada and the U.S. following reports that Trump was considering pulling out of NAFTA. The White House aides told the AP that Trudeau called Kushner about the reports and Kushner set up a call between Trudeau and Trump.
However, reports in the Canadian press on Monday offered out a different timeline for the calls between Kushner and Trudeau.
The National Post reported that White House aides reached out to Trudeau’s office to ask the Canadian prime minister to persuade Trump to stick with NAFTA, citing Canadian government sources. The plea from White House aides prompted a call between Trudeau and Trump, as well as with the Mexican president.
Metro News identified Jared Kushner as the the White House aide who called the Canadian government suggesting that Trudeau speak with Trump about NAFTA.
