Tariff dispute: Trump adviser Hassett says Canada deal is 'very close'
Negotiations have picked up speed, says the National Economic Council director. New 50% tariffs on more Canadian goods take effect at the end of the month.
Archive image · Photo: usbotschaftberlin / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
The United States and Canada are nearing a deal in their trade dispute, according to the White House. The two sides are "very close" to an agreement, Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told Fox News on Sunday. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had been speaking with Canadian counterparts the previous week. "The negotiations have picked up. They're gathering steam," Hassett said. He blamed the delay on Canada's recent election and the debate over Alberta separating.
President Donald Trump told a campaign rally in the border town of Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday that the dispute would be settled "pretty soon" and that Canada was "willing to give us anything at this moment." He gave no details. Prime Minister Mark Carney's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, new 50% tariffs on a list of Canadian goods take effect at the end of the month, including cocoa powder, vinyl flooring and shampoos; seaweed, packing boxes and some plywood sheets were removed from the list. Canadian metals, lumber and autos already face tariffs. Jean-François Dufresne, CEO of flooring maker Preverco, said his company was losing 25% of its business overnight. The office of Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Ottawa would assess the measures.