news.herich.cloud
Archived text mirror · columns · archive · trending · search
AP Wire August 19, 2026 19 min signal 2026-08-19

Trump says US and Canada have reached last-minute deal to delay 50% tariffs on Canadian imports

Archived text mirror, captured for personal reading when the Signal ran. Formatting is approximate — read the original at the source.

-

World

SECTIONS

Iran war

Russia-Ukraine war

Español

China

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Europe

Africa

TOP STORIES

- Trump is threatening to bomb Oman, but why?

- Trump threatened to bomb Oman because he's unhappy with country's deal with Iran, officials say

- Liberia agrees to take 1,200 third-country deportees from the US

Newsletters

The Afternoon Wire

Our personalization engine sends you what you may have missed throughout the day.

The Morning Wire

Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.

See All Newsletters

-

U.S.

SECTIONS

Immigration

Weather

Education

Transportation

Abortion

LGBTQ+

Notable Deaths

America at 250

TOP STORIES

- Lindsay Clancy was ‘begging for help’ before killing her children, former mother-in-law testifies

- Ex-Fauci adviser pleads guilty to plotting to conceal COVID-19 research records during pandemic

- Penn State frat pledges were made to cut and bag cocaine for college drug ring, authorities say

Newsletters

The Afternoon Wire

Our personalization engine sends you what you may have missed throughout the day.

See All Newsletters

AP QUIZZES

Weekly News Quiz

-

Politics

SECTIONS

2026 Elections

Election Results

Election calendar

White House

Congress

Supreme Court

The latest AP-NORC polls

TOP STORIES

- Senator presses Hegseth, Caine for commitment to keep US military out of the midterm elections

Newsletters

Ground Game

Your guide to the biggest stories in politics, policy and U.S. elections.

See All Newsletters

-

Sports

SECTIONS

NFL

College football

Top 25 Poll

MLB

NBA

WNBA

Soccer

Tennis

TOP STORIES

- ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease

- D-backs manager Lovullo: Marte returns to Phoenix for knee testing, hopeful he can play again in '26

- Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios suspended after positive test for cocaine

Newsletters

AP Top 25 Poll Alerts

Get email alerts for every college football Top 25 Poll release.

The Sports Wire

Get AP’s in-depth sports reporting tailored to your interests.

See All Newsletters

-

Entertainment

SECTIONS

Movies

Fashion

Television

Celebrity Interviews

Music

Books

TOP STORIES

- Frank Beard, drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77

- Hayden Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend was at apartment where she died, police report says

- Madonna leads 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations, followed by Taylor Swift

Newsletters

AP Entertainment Wire

AP’s entertainment, media, fashion and culture coverage, personalized to your interests.

See All Newsletters

-

Business

SECTIONS

Tariffs

Inflation

Financial Markets

Financial Wellness

Technology

TOP STORIES

- OpenAI introduces ChatGPT for Teens, promising a more age-appropriate chatbot

-

Science

SECTIONS

Space

Animals

The Ancient World

Climate

Medicine

TOP STORIES

- Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon

-

Newsletters

-

Quizzes

-

Games

-

Fact Check

-

Oddities

TOP STORIES

- Capybaras keep their chill while crashing Brazilian legislature

- Viral '6-7' tops 2025 list of overused words and phrases

- Why a Minneapolis neighborhood sharpens a giant pencil every year

- Timber over Tinder: Bridegroom's Oak in a German forest has connected lovers for over a century

- A driver faces up to $110,000 in fines for speeding on a Swiss street. But he can afford it

- A humpback whale briefly swallows kayaker in Chilean Patagonia — and it's all captured on camera

-

Be Well

SECTIONS

Trending

Better health

At home

Working well

For the climate

Eating well

TOP STORIES

- The best fabric for extreme heat? It's more complicated than you think

- Being a night owl may not be great for your heart but you can do something about it

- Challenging your brain helps keep it healthy. Here's how to do it

-

Photography

SECTIONS

Photo Essays

TOP STORIES

- Diving into the blue sky, watched by the Eiffel Tower

- AP Top Photos of the Month, September 2024

- At the Kaaba during Hajj, a photographer captures sense of unity and devotion

Newsletters

The World in Pictures

Get special access to AP's most compelling images from our global team of photojournalists.

See All Newsletters

-

AP Investigations

-

Climate

SECTIONS

Indigenous peoples and climate

Climate Questions

Climate Migration

India Focus

TOP STORIES

- Trump administration moves ahead to end roadless rule on national forests

- The best fabric for extreme heat? It's more complicated than you think

- Nonprofit sues over US push to auction areas of water around American Samoa for potential mining

-

Health

TOP STORIES

- Flight attendants and pilots have highest risk of dying from radiation-linked cancers, study says

- The CDC has zombie programs. Congress funds them, but few people are left to do the work

- Drug prices have declined sharply, and Trump is taking credit. The reason behind the drop is complex

- Being a night owl may not be great for your heart but you can do something about it

- Challenging your brain helps keep it healthy. Here's how to do it

- Obesity drugs show early promise against the hormonal disorder PMOS, giving a suffering family hope

-

Tech

SECTIONS

Artificial Intelligence

Social Media

TOP STORIES

- In Meta's trial, families of social media victims see a pivotal moment for online safety

- Jury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction trial

- His son died after a sextortion scheme. He's among many parents celebrating the rulings against Meta

-

Lifestyle

SECTIONS

Food & Recipes

Gardening

Fashion

Homes

Travel

Pets

TOP STORIES

- Pulling from ancient cooling principles, the 'swamp cooler' remains important today

- How one gardener's neighbors shared their land to help her start a flower business

- Bryan Voltaggio’s makes his lobster rolls with a flavor-boosting soak

-

Religion

TOP STORIES

- In Israel, military service debate spotlights ultra-Orthodox Jews and their growing clout

- Once shaped by court rituals, China’s imperial cuisine lives on today

- Europe's tallest statue of the Virgin Mary is inaugurated in a small Polish village

Newsletters

World of Faith

Comprehensive global coverage of how religion shapes our world.

See All Newsletters

-

Español

SECTIONS

Política de EEUU

Deportes

TOP STORIES

- Shakira realiza visita sorpresa a escuelas dañadas por sismo en Colombia y promete reconstruirlas

- Muere a los 77 años Frank Beard, baterista de ZZ Top y miembro del Salón de la Fama del Rock & Roll

- Ucraniano condenado por espionaje en Alemania recibe prisión; absuelven a otros dos

-

Most watched videos

-

Standards

-

Press Releases

-

My Account

-

AP News Code of Conduct

-

-

World

- Iran war

- Russia-Ukraine war

- Español

- China

- Asia Pacific

- Latin America

- Europe

- Africa

- Middle East

-

U.S.

- Immigration

- Weather

- Education

- Transportation

- Abortion

- LGBTQ+

- Notable Deaths

- America at 250

-

Politics

- 2026 Elections

- Election Results

- Election calendar

- White House

- Congress

- Supreme Court

- The latest AP-NORC polls

-

Sports

- NFL

- College football

- Top 25 Poll

- MLB

- NBA

- WNBA

- Soccer

- Tennis Tennis

- Golf

- Auto Racing

-

Entertainment

- Movies

- Fashion

- Television

- Celebrity Interviews

- Music

- Books

-

Business

- Tariffs

- Inflation

- Financial Markets

- Financial Wellness

- Technology

-

Science

- Space

- Animals

- The Ancient World

- Climate

- Medicine

-

Newsletters

-

Quizzes

-

Games

-

Fact Check

-

Oddities

-

Be Well

- Trending

- Better health

- At home

- Working well

- For the climate

- Eating well

-

Photography

- Photo Essays

-

AP Investigations

-

Climate

- Indigenous peoples and climate

- Climate Questions

- Climate Migration

- India Focus

-

Health

-

Tech

- Artificial Intelligence

- Social Media

-

Lifestyle

- Food & Recipes

- Gardening

- Fashion

- Homes

- Travel

- Pets

-

Religion

-

Español

- Política de EEUU

- Deportes

-

Most watched videos

-

Standards

-

Press Releases

-

My Account

-

AP News Code of Conduct

MORE

-

World

- Iran war

- Russia-Ukraine war

- Español

- China

- Asia Pacific

- Latin America

- Europe

- Africa

- Middle East

-

U.S.

- Immigration

- Weather

- Education

- Transportation

- Abortion

- LGBTQ+

- Notable Deaths

- America at 250

-

Politics

- 2026 Elections

- Election Results

- Election calendar

- White House

- Congress

- Supreme Court

- The latest AP-NORC polls

-

Sports

- NFL

- College football

- Top 25 Poll

- MLB

- NBA

- WNBA

- Soccer

- Tennis Tennis

- Golf

- Auto Racing

-

Entertainment

- Movies

- Fashion

- Television

- Celebrity Interviews

- Music

- Books

-

Business

- Tariffs

- Inflation

- Financial Markets

- Financial Wellness

- Technology

-

Science

- Space

- Animals

- The Ancient World

- Climate

- Medicine

-

Newsletters

-

Quizzes

-

Games

-

Fact Check

-

Oddities

-

Be Well

- Trending

- Better health

- At home

- Working well

- For the climate

- Eating well

-

Photography

- Photo Essays

-

AP Investigations

-

Climate

- Indigenous peoples and climate

- Climate Questions

- Climate Migration

- India Focus

-

Health

-

Tech

- Artificial Intelligence

- Social Media

-

Lifestyle

- Food & Recipes

- Gardening

- Fashion

- Homes

- Travel

- Pets

-

Religion

-

Español

- Política de EEUU

- Deportes

-

Most watched videos

-

Standards

-

Press Releases

-

My Account

-

AP News Code of Conduct

Sign in

-

World

SECTIONS

Iran war

Russia-Ukraine war

Español

China

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Europe

Africa

TOP STORIES

- Trump is threatening to bomb Oman, but why?

- Trump threatened to bomb Oman because he's unhappy with country's deal with Iran, officials say

- Liberia agrees to take 1,200 third-country deportees from the US

Newsletters

The Afternoon Wire

Our personalization engine sends you what you may have missed throughout the day.

The Morning Wire

Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.

See All Newsletters

-

U.S.

SECTIONS

Immigration

Weather

Education

Transportation

Abortion

LGBTQ+

Notable Deaths

America at 250

TOP STORIES

- Lindsay Clancy was ‘begging for help’ before killing her children, former mother-in-law testifies

- Ex-Fauci adviser pleads guilty to plotting to conceal COVID-19 research records during pandemic

- Penn State frat pledges were made to cut and bag cocaine for college drug ring, authorities say

Newsletters

The Afternoon Wire

Our personalization engine sends you what you may have missed throughout the day.

See All Newsletters

AP QUIZZES

Weekly News Quiz

-

Politics

SECTIONS

2026 Elections

Election Results

Election calendar

White House

Congress

Supreme Court

The latest AP-NORC polls

TOP STORIES

- Senator presses Hegseth, Caine for commitment to keep US military out of the midterm elections

Newsletters

Ground Game

Your guide to the biggest stories in politics, policy and U.S. elections.

See All Newsletters

-

Sports

SECTIONS

NFL

College football

Top 25 Poll

MLB

NBA

WNBA

Soccer

Tennis

TOP STORIES

- ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease

- D-backs manager Lovullo: Marte returns to Phoenix for knee testing, hopeful he can play again in '26

- Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios suspended after positive test for cocaine

Newsletters

AP Top 25 Poll Alerts

Get email alerts for every college football Top 25 Poll release.

The Sports Wire

Get AP’s in-depth sports reporting tailored to your interests.

See All Newsletters

-

Entertainment

SECTIONS

Movies

Fashion

Television

Celebrity Interviews

Music

Books

TOP STORIES

- Frank Beard, drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77

- Hayden Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend was at apartment where she died, police report says

- Madonna leads 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations, followed by Taylor Swift

Newsletters

AP Entertainment Wire

AP’s entertainment, media, fashion and culture coverage, personalized to your interests.

See All Newsletters

-

Business

SECTIONS

Tariffs

Inflation

Financial Markets

Financial Wellness

Technology

TOP STORIES

- OpenAI introduces ChatGPT for Teens, promising a more age-appropriate chatbot

-

Science

SECTIONS

Space

Animals

The Ancient World

Climate

Medicine

TOP STORIES

- Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon

-

Newsletters

-

Quizzes

-

Games

-

Fact Check

-

Oddities

TOP STORIES

- Capybaras keep their chill while crashing Brazilian legislature

- Viral '6-7' tops 2025 list of overused words and phrases

- Why a Minneapolis neighborhood sharpens a giant pencil every year

- Timber over Tinder: Bridegroom's Oak in a German forest has connected lovers for over a century

- A driver faces up to $110,000 in fines for speeding on a Swiss street. But he can afford it

- A humpback whale briefly swallows kayaker in Chilean Patagonia — and it's all captured on camera

-

Be Well

SECTIONS

Trending

Better health

At home

Working well

For the climate

Eating well

TOP STORIES

- The best fabric for extreme heat? It's more complicated than you think

- Being a night owl may not be great for your heart but you can do something about it

- Challenging your brain helps keep it healthy. Here's how to do it

-

Photography

SECTIONS

Photo Essays

TOP STORIES

- Diving into the blue sky, watched by the Eiffel Tower

- AP Top Photos of the Month, September 2024

- At the Kaaba during Hajj, a photographer captures sense of unity and devotion

Newsletters

The World in Pictures

Get special access to AP's most compelling images from our global team of photojournalists.

See All Newsletters

-

AP Investigations

-

Climate

SECTIONS

Indigenous peoples and climate

Climate Questions

Climate Migration

India Focus

TOP STORIES

- Trump administration moves ahead to end roadless rule on national forests

- The best fabric for extreme heat? It's more complicated than you think

- Nonprofit sues over US push to auction areas of water around American Samoa for potential mining

-

Health

TOP STORIES

- Flight attendants and pilots have highest risk of dying from radiation-linked cancers, study says

- The CDC has zombie programs. Congress funds them, but few people are left to do the work

- Drug prices have declined sharply, and Trump is taking credit. The reason behind the drop is complex

- Being a night owl may not be great for your heart but you can do something about it

- Challenging your brain helps keep it healthy. Here's how to do it

- Obesity drugs show early promise against the hormonal disorder PMOS, giving a suffering family hope

-

Tech

SECTIONS

Artificial Intelligence

Social Media

TOP STORIES

- In Meta's trial, families of social media victims see a pivotal moment for online safety

- Jury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction trial

- His son died after a sextortion scheme. He's among many parents celebrating the rulings against Meta

-

Lifestyle

SECTIONS

Food & Recipes

Gardening

Fashion

Homes

Travel

Pets

TOP STORIES

- Pulling from ancient cooling principles, the 'swamp cooler' remains important today

- How one gardener's neighbors shared their land to help her start a flower business

- Bryan Voltaggio’s makes his lobster rolls with a flavor-boosting soak

-

Religion

TOP STORIES

- In Israel, military service debate spotlights ultra-Orthodox Jews and their growing clout

- Once shaped by court rituals, China’s imperial cuisine lives on today

- Europe's tallest statue of the Virgin Mary is inaugurated in a small Polish village

Newsletters

World of Faith

Comprehensive global coverage of how religion shapes our world.

See All Newsletters

-

Español

SECTIONS

Política de EEUU

Deportes

TOP STORIES

- Shakira realiza visita sorpresa a escuelas dañadas por sismo en Colombia y promete reconstruirlas

- Muere a los 77 años Frank Beard, baterista de ZZ Top y miembro del Salón de la Fama del Rock & Roll

- Ucraniano condenado por espionaje en Alemania recibe prisión; absuelven a otros dos

-

Most watched videos

-

Standards

-

Press Releases

-

My Account

-

AP News Code of Conduct

-

-

World

- Iran war

- Russia-Ukraine war

- Español

- China

- Asia Pacific

- Latin America

- Europe

- Africa

- Middle East

-

U.S.

- Immigration

- Weather

- Education

- Transportation

- Abortion

- LGBTQ+

- Notable Deaths

- America at 250

-

Politics

- 2026 Elections

- Election Results

- Election calendar

- White House

- Congress

- Supreme Court

- The latest AP-NORC polls

-

Sports

- NFL

- College football

- Top 25 Poll

- MLB

- NBA

- WNBA

- Soccer

- Tennis Tennis

- Golf

- Auto Racing

-

Entertainment

- Movies

- Fashion

- Television

- Celebrity Interviews

- Music

- Books

-

Business

- Tariffs

- Inflation

- Financial Markets

- Financial Wellness

- Technology

-

Science

- Space

- Animals

- The Ancient World

- Climate

- Medicine

-

Newsletters

-

Quizzes

-

Games

-

Fact Check

-

Oddities

-

Be Well

- Trending

- Better health

- At home

- Working well

- For the climate

- Eating well

-

Photography

- Photo Essays

-

AP Investigations

-

Climate

- Indigenous peoples and climate

- Climate Questions

- Climate Migration

- India Focus

-

Health

-

Tech

- Artificial Intelligence

- Social Media

-

Lifestyle

- Food & Recipes

- Gardening

- Fashion

- Homes

- Travel

- Pets

-

Religion

-

Español

- Política de EEUU

- Deportes

-

Most watched videos

-

Standards

-

Press Releases

-

My Account

-

AP News Code of Conduct

MORE

-

World

- Iran war

- Russia-Ukraine war

- Español

- China

- Asia Pacific

- Latin America

- Europe

- Africa

- Middle East

-

U.S.

- Immigration

- Weather

- Education

- Transportation

- Abortion

- LGBTQ+

- Notable Deaths

- America at 250

-

Politics

- 2026 Elections

- Election Results

- Election calendar

- White House

- Congress

- Supreme Court

- The latest AP-NORC polls

-

Sports

- NFL

- College football

- Top 25 Poll

- MLB

- NBA

- WNBA

- Soccer

- Tennis Tennis

- Golf

- Auto Racing

-

Entertainment

- Movies

- Fashion

- Television

- Celebrity Interviews

- Music

- Books

-

Business

- Tariffs

- Inflation

- Financial Markets

- Financial Wellness

- Technology

-

Science

- Space

- Animals

- The Ancient World

- Climate

- Medicine

-

Newsletters

-

Quizzes

-

Games

-

Fact Check

-

Oddities

-

Be Well

- Trending

- Better health

- At home

- Working well

- For the climate

- Eating well

-

Photography

- Photo Essays

-

AP Investigations

-

Climate

- Indigenous peoples and climate

- Climate Questions

- Climate Migration

- India Focus

-

Health

-

Tech

- Artificial Intelligence

- Social Media

-

Lifestyle

- Food & Recipes

- Gardening

- Fashion

- Homes

- Travel

- Pets

-

Religion

-

Español

- Política de EEUU

- Deportes

-

Most watched videos

-

Standards

-

Press Releases

-

My Account

-

AP News Code of Conduct

Sign in

Business

Trump says US and Canada have reached last-minute deal to delay 50% US tariffs on Canadian imports

Trump says US and Canada have reached last-minute deal to delay 50% US tariffs on Canadian imports

1 of 3 |

There’s a growing body of data showing the tariffs President Donald Trump said would help American factories are, in fact, squashing many of them.

2 of 3 |

United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, center, leaves the U.S. Department of Commerce following a meeting with Canadian officials, in Washington, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Kelly Geraldine Malone/The Canadian Press via AP)

3 of 3 |

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc makes brief comments to reporters outside the U.S. Department of Commerce following a meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in Washington, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Kelly Geraldine Malone/The Canadian Press via AP)

Trump says US and Canada have reached last-minute deal to delay 50% US tariffs on Canadian imports

1 of 3

There’s a growing body of data showing the tariffs President Donald Trump said would help American factories are, in fact, squashing many of them.

Share

-

Facebook

-

Copy

Link copied

-

Print

-

Email

-

X

-

LinkedIn

-

Bluesky

-

Flipboard

-

Pinterest

-

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Ftariffs-trump-canada-usmca-trade-aae597c22617bec7a99f670a2c787ef9%3Futm_source%3Dreddit%26utm_medium%3Dshare&title=Reddit Share)

2 of 3 |

United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, center, leaves the U.S. Department of Commerce following a meeting with Canadian officials, in Washington, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Kelly Geraldine Malone/The Canadian Press via AP)

2 of 3

United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, center, leaves the U.S. Department of Commerce following a meeting with Canadian officials, in Washington, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Kelly Geraldine Malone/The Canadian Press via AP)

Share

-

Facebook

-

Copy

Link copied

-

Print

-

Email

-

X

-

LinkedIn

-

Bluesky

-

Flipboard

-

Pinterest

-

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Ftariffs-trump-canada-usmca-trade-aae597c22617bec7a99f670a2c787ef9%3Futm_source%3Dreddit%26utm_medium%3Dshare&title=Reddit Share)

3 of 3 |

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc makes brief comments to reporters outside the U.S. Department of Commerce following a meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in Washington, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Kelly Geraldine Malone/The Canadian Press via AP)

3 of 3

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc makes brief comments to reporters outside the U.S. Department of Commerce following a meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in Washington, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Kelly Geraldine Malone/The Canadian Press via AP)

Share

-

Facebook

-

Copy

Link copied

-

Print

-

Email

-

X

-

LinkedIn

-

Bluesky

-

Flipboard

-

Pinterest

-

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Ftariffs-trump-canada-usmca-trade-aae597c22617bec7a99f670a2c787ef9%3Futm_source%3Dreddit%26utm_medium%3Dshare&title=Reddit Share)

By PAUL WISEMAN and ROB GILLIES

Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]

Leer en español

Share

-

Facebook

-

Copy

Link copied

-

Print

-

Email

-

X

-

LinkedIn

-

Bluesky

-

Flipboard

-

Pinterest

-

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Ftariffs-trump-canada-usmca-trade-aae597c22617bec7a99f670a2c787ef9%3Futm_source%3Dreddit%26utm_medium%3Dshare&title=Reddit Share)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was delaying the 50% U.S. tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian imports after the two countries reached a last-minute deal less than two hours before the sanctions were to go into effect.

The announcement, which Trump made on his social media platform, buys time for more negotiations and avoids, for now, another strain in already tense relations between the historic allies.

“I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

If they had gone into effect as scheduled at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Trump’s import taxes would have hit Canadian products ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors.

But the political impact would likely have been bigger than the economic one. Canada had threatened to retaliate against any new tariffs with levies of its own, aggravating a trade fight between countries that sold each other $880 billion worth of goods and services last year.

A White House proclamation said Canada had expressed a commitment to remove measures the Trump administration considers discriminatory against U.S. alcohol, dairy and motor vehicle exports. Canada did not immediately confirm those commitments.

Related Stories

US trade talks are ‘nasty,’ Canada’s Carney says after Trump criticism

2 MIN READ

115

Canada’s Carney says he has no confidence in FIFA’s Infantino

1 MIN READ

11

Gianni Infantino gets internal support at crisis meeting to remain as FIFA president

3 MIN READ

34

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement “substantial progress” had been made but that important work remained, confirming Canada had agreed to the three-day delay while negotiations continued.

Carney and Trump had spoken twice by phone in the past two days about the ongoing negotiations, including a call Tuesday afternoon, Carney’s office said, underscoring the last-minute push for a deal.

Both countries had reason to step back from the brink. Nearly 72% of Canada’s goods exports last year went to the United States. And the Trump administration would be taking a risk by imposing a hefty new tariff — paid by U.S. importers who try to pass along the cost to consumers via higher prices — ahead of November’s midterm elections. U.S. voters are already frustrated with the high cost of living.

“I don’t think either side really wants these tariffs to come into effect,’’ Ryan Majerus, a partner at King & Spalding and a former U.S. trade official, said before the delay was announced. “There’s a pretty strong push on both sides to find an off-ramp here.’’

Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Candace Laing said in a statement that the three-day tariff delay offered businesses some relief but fell short of the certainty a signed interim agreement would provide.

Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.

“This limbo state is not anyone’s preferred outcome,” she said, urging negotiators to reach a deal quickly.

Trump’s approach to dealing with Canada marks an extraordinary departure from the traditionally cooperative relationship between the two countries. Trump has hit Canadian goods with tariffs — in a push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. — and has repeatedly made inflammatory comments about turning Canada into America’s 51st state.

Trump has made tariffs the centerpiece of his second-term economic agenda. Last year, he imposed double-digit import taxes on almost every country, justifying them by declaring the longstanding U.S. trade deficit a national emergency. The Supreme Court in February ruled that he’d overstepped his authority, striking down those tariffs and setting the stage for the federal government to pay refunds to importers.

So Trump has looked for other legal authority to impose tariffs.

To hit Canada, he reached back to the Great Depression, invoking Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to threaten 50% tariffs on products that account for about 5% of Canadian exports to the United States.

Nearly a century ago, with the U.S. and world economies in collapse, Congress passed the 1930 tariff law, imposing taxes on imports from around the world. Known as the Smoot-Hawley tariffs, named for their congressional sponsors, they are notorious among economists and historians for limiting world commerce and making the Great Depression worse.

Section 338 tariffs have never been used before.

Section 338 authorizes the president to impose tariffs of up to 50% on imports from countries that have discriminated against U.S. businesses. No investigation is required to justify the levies. Nor is there any limit on how long the tariffs can stay in place.

The U.S. is renegotiating a North American trade pact — the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement — that Trump strong-armed America’s neighbors into accepting in his first term. The threat of Section 338 tariffs gives the United States leverage to seek fresh concessions from Ottawa.

Gillies reported from Toronto.

← latest Signal