I have remarked here in the past that this was an effort by Jerry Dias to put a NAFTA focus and specifically an anti Meixcan low wage focus on the talks and to use the plant as a wedge in framing NAFTA for Canadians.

By accepting that he could not win any status certainty, and perhaps listening to cooler heads in the room, Dias now deserves praise for doing the right thing.

It was probably worth a shot, but given how GM operated, surrender was the best move.  Good on you Dias.