The fate of NAFTA 2.0 is in Pelosi's hands — and there is little Trudeau can do about it

The moment on Thursday that was most revealing about the chances of the U.S. ratifying the new North American trade deal anytime soon didn't come during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump.

It occurred earlier in the day, during House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's weekly news conference. The Speaker took questions about Iran, about the Democratic presidential race, and basketball. (Pelosi's hometown Golden State Warriors lost the NBA championship to the Toronto Raptors, so she owed Trudeau some California wine.)

It was only after Pelosi left the podium and was steps from the door that a reporter asked:

"What's your message on USMCA to Justin Trudeau?"

It's hard to make out all of what Pelosi said of the agreement, as she was no longer in front of the microphone. But she smiled and said she was optimistic, and added: "We want to be on a path to yes."

Not "We're on a path to ratifying." Just that finding a way to get there would be good. Some day. Maybe. Gotta run...

This was excerpted from the 21 June 2019 edition of CBC News.