Canada and United States near completion of trade agreement, details still unclear
U.S. and Canadian officials say they are close to finalising a trade deal, but the specific concessions and remaining issues have not been disclosed.
Negotiators from Canada and the United States met for a third consecutive day as they work to finalise a long-awaited trade agreement. The talks follow President Donald Trump’s decision to pause a set of threatened tariffs on Canadian goods.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai (identified in the source as Jamieson Greer) told reporters the United States is "very happy" with the latest discussions and will brief Congress and stakeholders soon. She added that the agreement would protect American workers and supply chains while strengthening the North American economy.
Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X, thanking Greer and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc for “significant progress” and saying the deal aims to secure the best terms for Canada’s strategic sectors and provide greater certainty about the bilateral trading relationship.
While Trump said Canada would eliminate tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, he did not specify which sectors would benefit, and he indicated the United States would reduce some tariffs on Canada only "a little bit." Canadian officials said the negotiations continue on issues such as potential reductions to existing sectoral tariffs, the removal of U.S. alcohol bans, and the status of Canada’s dairy supply-management system, which they said would remain unchanged.
Provincial leaders were briefed on the talks; Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston noted the request to return U.S. alcohol to Canadian markets, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said Canada is still seeking further tariff reductions.
Business groups on both sides have urged a swift resolution, warning that renewed tariffs would harm trade. Dennis Darby, president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, said the advisory committee was informed that negotiations are close to completion and expressed optimism that the deal could restore the tariff-free flow of goods under the USMCA framework.