Canada's Tariff Countdown
Prime Minister Carney to Meet Trump Before Deadline to Avert Tariffs on Canadian Goods
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will speak with U.S. President Donald Trump before a 50 per cent tariff hits $29 billion worth of Canadian goods — a deadline now less than two days away. National Post reports Carney made the pledge at a press conference in St. John's, N.L., while refusing to answer most questions about the state of trade talks.
The looming tariff would be one of the steepest trade penalties Canada has ever faced. Carney described the negotiations as "intense and delicate," offering few details beyond that, according to Vancouver Sun.
A 50 Per Cent Tariff Threat Hangs Over Canada
The tariff in question targets $29 billion worth of Canadian exports. It would be triggered under U.S. trade law if no deal is reached in time. The Province reports the clock is running with fewer than two days left before the deadline hits.
Canada is also racing to avoid a second threat. A separate set of tariffs under Section 338 of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act — a U.S. law dating back to 1930 — could take effect on August 19. That law allows the U.S. to impose sweeping duties on countries it sees as trade offenders, according to Brantford Expositor.
Canada Wants Relief on Steel, Lumber, and Autos
The Canadian government is pushing for relief from Section 232 tariffs. Those tariffs currently target Canadian lumber, autos, steel, and aluminum. They were imposed by the Trump administration using national security powers, which gave the White House broad authority to act without Congress.
Daily Herald Tribune reports Carney's government is treating these sectors as top priorities in the talks. Each industry supports tens of thousands of Canadian jobs, making the stakes extremely high as the deadline approaches.
Carney Stays Silent on U.K. Deal Progress
Reporters pressed Carney on whether Canada was close to a deal — including a trade arrangement with the U.K. He refused to confirm or deny any progress. He called the talks too sensitive to discuss publicly, according to The Observer.
The strategy appears deliberate. Carney seems to believe that talking openly about negotiations could hurt Canada's position. It is a high-stakes silence — with billions of dollars and thousands of jobs on the line.
Carney-Trump Call Could Decide Canada's Trade Fate
Carney confirmed he plans to speak directly with President Trump before the tariff deadline expires. A leader-to-leader call at this stage is unusual. It signals that lower-level talks may not be enough to resolve the dispute in time, according to Recorder.
Whether that call produces a deal — or even a delay — remains unknown. What is clear is that Canada is running out of time. The next 48 hours will shape the trade relationship between the two countries for months to come, Pincher Creek Echo noted.
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