US, Canada ‘very close’ to trade deal, Ottawa says, as details emerge

WASHINGTON: America and Canada are “very shut” to a last commerce deal, the highest Canadian negotiator mentioned Thursday (Aug 20) after talks with US President Donald Trump’s staff.

Canada’s Dominic LeBlanc met for 3 hours in Washington with US Commerce Consultant Jamieson Greer, as each international locations push to finalise an settlement to avert new tariffs threatened by Trump.

“We’re very shut. We proceed to make progress, and we will keep right here and do the work that is needed till we get to that time,” LeBlanc instructed reporters after leaving Greer’s workplace.

On Wednesday, each side mentioned they’d moved close to a final agreement, a deal that might ease tensions following months of acrimony triggered by Trump’s punishing levies.

A brand new spherical of 50-per cent US tariffs was set to take impact on Canadian imports on Wednesday, however Trump mentioned the day earlier than that he was delaying enactment for 72 hours as a deal seemed imminent.

Particulars of the possible settlement stay unclear, however Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday up to date the leaders of Canada’s provinces and territories on the negotiations.

Carney made particular requests that america needed applied by Canada’s provinces, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston instructed reporters afterward.

These embody restocking US wine and liquor, which a number of provinces eliminated in retaliation for Trump’s tariffs on Canadian autos, metal, aluminum and lumber.

“The prime minister has requested us, as premiers, as provinces, to return the US alcohol to the cabinets,” Houston mentioned.

“It has been an irritant … that has type of actually bothered america,” he added.

The chief of the Atlantic coast province famous that even when US alcohol returned to Canadian shops, there isn’t any assure folks will purchase it, citing deep-seated frustration over Trump’s therapy of Canada, together with his annexation threats.

Past the provisions in any commerce deal, there’s “the emotional impression of what Canadians have skilled,” Houston mentioned.

“It has been emotionally draining.”

Quebec’s Premier Christine Frechette mentioned her province had been hammered by Trump’s tariffs and he or she would determine on restocking US alcohol after learning the deal.

Wab Kinew, the left-wing premier of central Canada’s Manitoba province, mentioned he was ready to place alcohol again on the cabinets, even when he thinks Canada “ought to combat.”

“I feel America is weaker all over the world at the moment than it was a 12 months in the past,” Kinew mentioned.

Trump’s “about to get slaughtered within the midterms,” he added. “I feel we have the higher hand.”