Trudeau speaks to Trump on trade, border closure

Canian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he spoke to his American counterpart Monday about tre issues and continuing closed border between two countries due to coronavirus pandemic.

Trudeau told reporters that as rth American ecomy gets back up to speed, Cana's aluminum production is returning to rmal and that undercuts U.S. argument for tariffs on imports from rth of border.

"I impressed upon him that it would be a shame to see tariffs come in an hour between our two countries at a time where we're celebrating NAFTA," Trudeau said.  Both countries agreed to work on issue.

At height of COVID-19 crisis, Canian smelters justed ir production when U.S. demand for value-ded products dried up, triggering concerns about an increase in generic aluminum crossing south of border.

But as U.S. auto sector resumes production, Trudeau says aluminum makers in Cana will soon be back to producing specialized products that are t manufactured by American smelters.

Trudeau also says bilateral discussions are continuing on Cana-U.S. border, which remains closed to n-essential travel as number of new COVID-19 cases in U.S. continues to rise.

"We've pledged to continue to monitor closely situation that is constantly evolving," Trudeau said.

He says two countries will make an anuncement before current border agreement expires next week.