Advertisement

Trump says Canada trade deal ‘moving along’ as talks near tariff deadline

Click to play video: 'What we know about Canada’s tentative trade deal with U.S.'
What we know about Canada’s tentative trade deal with U.S.
WATCH: What we know about Canada's tentative trade deal with U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that negotiations with Canada on a tentative trade deal were “moving along,” as officials from both countries worked to finalize the terms ahead of yet another tariff deadline.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Canada’s chief negotiator Janice Charette met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington on Friday, alongside a delegation of Canadian trade officials.

Negotiators were working to iron out an agreement before sweeping 50 per cent tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods are due to take effect at midnight Saturday.

Trump, speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One to travel to South Carolina, would not say whether he might extend that deadline once again.

“The deal with Canada is moving along, and we should be able to have a deal with Canada,” Trump said.

Story continues below advertisement

“I only make good deals.”

The American tariffs were expected to take effect on Wednesday, but Trump delayed the levies for three days citing a “deal” that was in the works between both sides.

Canadian officials, led by LeBlanc and Charette, have been trying to finalize the finer points of the deal with Greer.

Mark Wiseman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, and Marc-Andre Blanchard, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s chief of staff, are also taking part in meetings for a second day in a row.

During a virtual meeting with Canada’s premiers on Wednesday, Carney asked them to put U.S. alcohol back on their shelves to help the deal progress, several premiers said.

Provincial boycotts of American alcohol have been a major trade irritant for Trump, who pointed to what he called “discriminatory” measures when he announced fresh tariffs on Canada last month.

After a meeting with Greer that lasted around three hours on Thursday afternoon, LeBlanc said the two sides were “very close” to a final deal.

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories.

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“We’re very close, we continue to make progress,” LeBlanc told reporters.

A source with direct knowledge of the talks said the U.S. could cut steel and aluminum tariffs from 50 per cent to 25 per cent and auto tariffs from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.

Story continues below advertisement

Two sources also told Global News that tariff relief for Canada’s softwood lumber industry is also being discussed.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said it would “unacceptable” to have any sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles and lumber under a new trade deal.

Further tariffs would lead to the “de-industrialization of our economy” and see jobs in key sectors move south of the border, he said.

“Mr. Carney, keep your promise. Fight for Canada. Don’t take a bad deal. We expect a good deal, like you promised,” Poilievre said.

Click to play video: 'Canadians may continue to shun US alcohol after trade agreement reached'
Canadians may continue to shun US alcohol after trade agreement reached

How premiers reacted

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said he was “skeptical” of a good faith trade deal with Trump.

Story continues below advertisement

“(We could have) the best deal in the world today. (If) things go off the rail in Iran for him next month, who is to say he’s not going to try and whack us on the head again?” Kinew said in a radio interview with 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.

680 CJOB is owned by Corus Entertainment, which is the parent company of Global News.

Kinew said he was not announcing a return of U.S. alcohol to Manitoba’s shelves on Thursday.

“The prime minister very clearly asked us to put the booze back. He very clearly wants this. He’s like, you know, just blame me, put this on me,” he said.

“We reserve the right to take it back off again, because we know that this guy is very erratic, the American president. And he may go back on his word, as he’s done countless times,” he added.

Click to play video: 'What we know about Canada’s tentative trade deal with U.S.'
What we know about Canada’s tentative trade deal with U.S.

Kinew said some sectoral tariffs are likely to stay, despite a new trade agreement.

Story continues below advertisement

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston told reporters after the meeting that Carney’s request “came directly out of the negotiating table.”

“We’ll work through that process,” he said, adding that it is something he would be willing to do “pending a final deal.”

While British Columbia Premier David Eby called for a “Team Canada” approach on Wednesday, he did not address the issue of bringing alcohol back on the shelves.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he looks forward to this deal being finalized.

“Any deal that eliminates and reduces tariffs is a good deal for Canada and Saskatchewan,” Moe said.

–With files from Global’s Mackenzie Gray

Sponsored content

AdChoices