Canadian government warns against any renegotiation of NAFTA

In the wake of the midweek Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama debate in Ohio, where both appeared to reject aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper has warned against against any reopening of negotiations of the agreement.

If such a renegotiation were to occur under a future US president, the Canadian PM told the House of Commons this week, his country "would obviously have some things we would want to discuss."

The prime minister's comments suggest the US's privileged access to Canadian oil could be put at risk if the 15-year trade deal were jettisoned under a Democratic administration.

Canada's Trade Minister David Emerson has also said his government was not averse to playing the oil card.

Under the NAFTA agreement, Canada is prohibited from cutting supplies to the US in the event of a worldwide shortage unless supplies are also rationed to Canadian consumers by the same amount.

The question is an awkward one for Democratic contender Hillary Clinton, as she campaigns in blue-collar Ohio, as the contentious agreement was signed during the administration of her husband Bill.

Both Clinton and Obama have complained about the trade deal saying many jobs have been lost to partners Canada and Mexico particularly in working class areas of states such as Ohio.

Clinton needs to win, and win well, both delegate-rich states of Ohio and Texas.