Trump administration downplays last-minute tariff deal with Canada

The Trump administration is actively tamping down expectations that a deal with Canada can be struck before steep new tariffs kick in, signaling that Washington views the looming trade escalation less as a crisis to avert and more as leverage to deploy. President Trump signed proclamations on July 20 imposing 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian imports, including dairy, vehicles, and alcohol. The duties carry a 30-day implementation window, putting the effective date squarely around August 19-20. A $20 billion standoff The tariffs target roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian exports. Some sectors got a pass: energy and critical minerals remain unaffected. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has drawn a clear line in the sand. He has repeatedly said Canada “will not accept a bad deal,” framing the negotiations as a matter of national interest rather than political convenience. Canadian negotiators reportedly rejected a recent US counter-offer, leaving the two sides without an agreement as the clock winds down. On the American side, the administration has avoided formal bilateral negotiations entirely. Instead, contacts between Canadian officials and US Trade Representatives have...