Trump won't scrap NAFTA, will renegotiate with partners

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday told his Mexican and Canadian counterparts he will not unilaterally pull the U.S. out of a mutual free trade agreement, but will renegotiate the pact.

In late afternoon calls with Mexico's Enrique Pena Nieta and Canada's Justin Trudeau that the White House described as "pleasant and productive", the leaders agreed to "proceed swiftly" on new talks in line with internal national requirements.

"It is my privilege to bring NAFTA up to date through renegotiation," Trump said in a statement.

"It is an honor to deal with both President Peña Nieto and Prime Minister Trudeau, and I believe that the end result will make all three countries stronger and better,” he added.

The American president has long assailed the North American Free Trade Agreement, pledging on the campaign trail to renegotiate or withdraw Washington from the regional economic pact.

He has gone so far as to call NAFTA the worst trade deal in U.S. history, and reports earlier Thursday cited anonymous officials saying that Trump was readying to pull the U.S. out of the agreement.