US, Canada work to wrap up trade deal ahead of looming deadline

TDT | Washington

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The United States and Canada were back at the negotiating table yesterday, with the clock ticking down to a midnight deadline when punishing new US tariffs kick in.

In the latest salvo amid months of trade hostility, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose new 50-percent duties on a range of Canadian products by Wednesday. But he has issued a last-minute delay, citing major progress in trade talks.

Canadian negotiators have been camped out in Washington this week trying to finalize a deal that reportedly aims to address a range of flash points.

Both sides have said a pact is nearly done, but talks were continuing Friday morning, with top Canadian negotiator Dominic LeBlanc meeting US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. LeBlanc and his team entered Greer's office shortly past midday, declining to answer reporters' questions. After meeting Greer on Thursday, LeBlanc told reporters "we're very close," promising to persist until a deal is done.

Canada wants relief from tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum, which have battered economy, forced job losses, and strained what was once an iron-clad trade relationship.