Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Oct 23: US President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States was close to reaching a trade agreement with Mexico and was negotiating with Canada from a position of strength, asserting that Washington held the advantage in both discussions.

Speaking to reporters on the White House South Lawn before leaving for a campaign rally in Florida, Trump said any agreement would have to protect American interests.

“We’re very close to a deal with Mexico,” Trump said. “It’ll be a very good deal for, hopefully, them, but it’s gonna be a good deal for us or we won’t make it.”

He said Canada was also working towards an agreement with Washington amid continuing tariff tensions between the neighbouring countries.

“The same thing with Canada. Canada’s working very hard to make a deal with us,” he said.

Trump then asserted that the US held a strong negotiating position with both countries.

“And I hate to say this, but we have all the cards in both of them,” he said. “We have all the cards. Just like I told Zelensky, we have all the cards.”

The President did not provide a timeline for concluding either agreement or disclose details of the concessions being discussed.

His remarks came during a wide-ranging interaction with reporters that also covered the conflict with Iran, developments in Ukraine, energy production in Britain and the upcoming US midterm elections.

On Iran, Trump said Washington was weighing whether to intensify its military campaign or allow economic pressure to further weaken Tehran.

“We can end it very quickly, but Iran is a failing nation,” he said.

He claimed that American naval operations had ensured the movement of oil through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz while restricting Iran’s access to the waterway.

“We have it blocked up for them, but nobody else,” he said.

“The question is, do we want to finish it off, or do we just want to let it wither?” Trump added. “Because we’re getting everything we want.”

The President also claimed that more oil was passing through the strait than before the conflict.

Turning to Ukraine, Trump welcomed a ceasefire and praised First Lady Melania Trump’s efforts to reunite children separated from their families during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“The ceasefire is really good news,” he said.

Asked whether the First Lady might participate in proposed trilateral peace negotiations, Trump replied, “No, but it’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”

He said her primary concern was the welfare of children and claimed that both sides were cooperating with her initiative.

Trump also disclosed that he had discussed expanding North Sea oil production with the British Prime Minister.

“We discussed the fact that they’re opening up the North Sea oil,” he said, arguing that increased production would strengthen Britain’s economy.

On domestic politics, Trump defended his intensive campaign schedule ahead of the midterm elections and rejected suggestions that his frequent appearances could trigger a voter backlash.

He said Republican candidates were benefiting from his rallies, citing Iowa and Ohio, and expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects.