PMO-Canada confirms: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will not visit Washington for any sort of USMCA celebration

The Prime Minister’s Office of Canada has confirmed that PM Justin Trudeau will not visit Washington, with Mexico's president this week to celebrate a new North American trade deal, after Canada louden concerns over United States aluminium tariffs.

On 6^th July’20, over a phone call, Trudeau told Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador that he expects the talks with US President Donald Trump would be successful.

However, the Mexican President had urged Trudeau to join him, is due to meet Trump at the White House on 8^th July’20 on his first trip outside of Mexico since taking office 19 months ago.

The Prime Minister’s office stated that Justin Trudeau will be attending cabinet meetings and a sitting of parliament in Ottawa.

"We wish the United States and Mexico well at Wednesday's meeting," the statement said.

Trudeau last week said he was unsure about attending, citing tensions over possible US tariffs on Canadian aluminium. Trudeau also flagged concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

In their call, Trudeau "expressed regret" to Lopez Obrador that he could not go to Washington, Trudeau's office said.

Their discussion also touched on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal that went into effect last week, efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic and investment in renewable energy infrastructure.

The two leaders also expressed interest in meeting in person, on which Trudeau's office did not further detail any updates.

Lopez Obrador said: “Trudeau was invited to Mexico, and after their call announced that the Canadian PM had agreed to visit the country as soon as possible".