The US representative and the Canadian minister also discussed the protracted litigation over Canadian lumber. Washington believes that this wood is sold below the market price to promote exports.
The deal gives Ottawa a roughly 6pc stake in Canada's largest carrier at a discount of 14pc, which prompted several analysts to cut their price targets.
Canada's 2020 GDP most likely fell 5.1%, Statscan said in a preliminary estimate. The goods-producing sector posted a 1.2% increase in November, while the service-producing sector grew by 0.5%.