Trump, Trudeau discuss Russian diplomats' expulsion, NAFTA

OTTAWA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump have discussed the current expulsion of Russian diplomats and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during a phone call, the Canadian Prime Minister's Office said Tuesday.

In the conversation Monday, the two discussed measures taken by Canada and the United States to support Britain, their common ally, against Russia in response to the "egregious nerve agent attack in Salisbury", the statement read.

Trudeau also underscored Canada's commitment to conclude a modern, mutually beneficial NAFTA as soon as possible and mentioned the "strong measures" Canada is taking to address unfair trade in steel and aluminum.

On the diplomats' expulsion, Russia has vowed to retaliate in kind after more than 20 Western nations decided to expel Russian diplomats over Moscow's alleged involvement in the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter by using a chemical weapon early this month in Britain. The Russian government fiercely denied any role in the case. Enditem