Canada and US near trade deal finalisation, but key details remain unclear
US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney say the two countries are close to finalising a new trade agreement, though the exact terms and concessions have not yet been made public.
American and Canadian negotiators met for a third consecutive day on Wednesday as the two governments worked toward a trade agreement, with both leaders expressing optimism even as most specifics remain undisclosed.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, speaking after a 45-minute meeting with his Canadian counterparts, said Washington is "very happy" with how talks are progressing and that he would soon brief Congress on the agreement's contents. He said the deal would strengthen the North American economy while removing several trade "irritants" between the two nations.
Trump said Canada has agreed to drop tariffs affecting US farmers, though he did not name which sectors would be covered. Asked whether Washington would reciprocate by lowering its own tariffs on Canadian goods, he said only "a little bit."
Carney thanked his negotiating team on social media, saying the goal is to secure the best possible terms for Canada's key industries and greater certainty for the countries' future trade relationship. He briefed his cabinet and provincial premiers on the talks Wednesday afternoon.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said Carney asked provinces to resume selling US alcohol, which had been pulled from shelves last year in retaliation for Trump's tariffs. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said negotiations continue, with Canada still pushing for reductions to existing sectoral tariffs.
The talks follow Trump's decision to pause a planned 50% tariff hike on a range of Canadian goods that had been set to take effect Wednesday; it is now delayed until the weekend. Canada is seeking relief on tariffs affecting steel, aluminium, automobiles and lumber, while the US has pressed Canada to drop remaining retaliatory auto tariffs and open greater access for US dairy exports. Canadian minister Dominic LeBlanc said the country's dairy supply management system would remain fully intact under any deal.
Polling suggests most Canadians oppose major concessions to Washington, but business groups on both sides of the border have urged a swift resolution, warning that further tariffs would hurt both economies.
