Reuters: U.S. and Canada working on deal to ease steel and auto tariffs
A limited agreement is under discussion before the midterms, with Commerce Secretary Lutnick central. Carney says any progress is because the U.S. is moving toward Canada's position.
Photo: Lea-Kim (talk · contribs) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
The United States and Canada are working on a deal to ease U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and autos, Reuters reported on Oct. 26, citing two U.S. and four Canadian sources. Current duties are up to 50% on steel and 25% on autos, and Trump has said he would raise both to 50% from Jan. 1, 2027. Because the duties fall under Section 232, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is central to the talks.
A Canadian industry source said any deal would likely come fast but be "narrowed," if it happens at all. Talks collapsed in August, partly over duties on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Prime Minister Mark Carney said talks had slightly intensified: "To the extent any progress has been made, it's because the US is coming closer to our position." Trump told a rally the dispute would be resolved "soon," without giving details.