U.S., Canadian official are at a critical stage in talks toward deal to replace NAFTA

U.S. and Canadian official are at a critical stage in talks toward a trade deal to replace the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, with a resolution expected as early as today, according to several media reports.Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland has been in Washington since Tuesday for negotiating sessions with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Freeland is seeking a three-country deal by Friday, while President Donald Trump has said he could proceed with Mexico alone, the National Chicken Council said in a summary on its website.Mexico and the United States announced a bilateral deal on Monday following a year of talks. NAFTA, including Canada, accounts for over $1 trillion in annual trade between the three countries.On Thursday, Freeland told reporters: "We continue to be encouraged by the constructive atmosphere that I think both countries are bringing to the table," ABC News reported. A deal by Friday would provide a 90-day window for Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to sign the pact before leaving office Dec. 1, the report said.Both President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday made their most optimistic comments yet on the year-old negotiations, the Toronto Starreported. Both Trump, at the White House, and Trudeau, in Ontario, told reporters that they were aiming for a Friday deadline to work out an agreement. According to the Star, the deal could involve Canada giving the U.S. more access to its tightly protected dairy market while the U.S. would agree to the keep the Chapter 19 system for resolving certain tariff disputes.