President Donald Trump’s team is running out of time to rewrite a trade pact with Canada and Mexico, and America’s top trade official says the countries are still far apart.

 

The impasse over the North American Free Trade Agreement comes as the U.S. is confronting China and sparring with its allies over U.S. tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

 

“The NAFTA countries are nowhere near close to a deal,” U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer said Thursday. Lighthizer cited “gaping differences” on issues ranging from farm trade to labor standards to intellectual property protections.

 

“We of course will continue to engage in negotiations, and I look forward to working with my counterparts to secure the best possible deal for American farmers, ranchers, workers, and businesses,” Lighthizer said.

 

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