Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 9/11/18

High-level negotiations over a new North American trade pact are set to resume today when Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland returns to Washington, as Pro Trade's Doug Palmer and Sabrina Rodriguez report.

Top trade officials are hoping for a breakthrough this month to incorporate Canada into the two-way deal between the U.S. and Mexico. Today's talks are tentatively set for 11 a.m. Negotiators remain at odds over opening the Canadian dairy market to U.S. products, protection for Canada's cultural industries and a mechanism for resolving disputes over anti-dumping and countervailing duties.

Back in Brussels: U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer was in the Belgian capital on Monday to discuss the potential for a transatlantic trade pact with European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. U.S. and EU officials are gunning for short-term results, like increased cooperation on regulations, while working toward a broader trade pact in the long term, as Doug reported Monday.

Shoutout to Congress: Lighthizer indicated the Trump administration is eyeing a trade pact with Europe that would need approval from Congress.

"We look forward to each party pursuing their domestic processes for negotiating mandates," he said in a statement after the meeting. "USTR will begin consultations with Congress pursuant to trade promotion authority to facilitate negotiations on longer-term outcomes."

What's next: Lighthizer and Malmström plan to meet again at the end of the month. Trade staffers will continue discussions in October on reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. Then, top officials will regroup in November to finalize any smaller deals.
One more for your radar: The U.S. and India are taking a look at the potential for a trade deal, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday, noting that conversations are "at the beginning stages."