The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that the Liberals do not seem particularly fixated on the July 1 deadline for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement talks, and properly so. A Globe editorial says avoiding a false sense of urgency is the first step in avoiding being stampeded into bad deal. Lengthier negotiations could well play out in Canada's favour. The Iran war has hurt President Donald Trump's poll numbers, raising concerns among Republicans about losing the House and possibly their Senate majority. Mr. Trump may need a renewed trade pact to regain support in border states. That said, Canada should be prepared to bargain, if the U.S. is willing to match Ottawa's concessions with its own. Tariffs on steel and aluminum are unlikely to disappear, but there is a possibility of securing lower rates for a quota of production. Similarly, it is realistic to aim for a modest increase in U.S. content requirements for vehicle manufacturing that would still allow for the continued existence of the Ontario auto industry. The key will be to make it clear to the U.S. that Canada is willing to go without a deal, if it must and continue trading under higher tariffs without an overarching agreement.