50 per cent tariffs were scheduled to take effect at midnight on Aug. 19
The U.S. is providing a temporary pause on the 50 per cent tariffs originally scheduled to hit the Canadian economy as of midnight on Aug. 19.
A social media post from President Trump around 10:30pm on Aug. 18 indicated the tariffs would be delayed for at least three days as the two countries finalize an agreement.
About an hour later, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement on the ongoing talks.
The prime minister’s comments didn’t go as far to say the two countries had a deal, but instead highlighted that “substantial progress has been made, although there Is important work still to be done” to support farmers and Canadians ahead of the new Aug. 21 deadline.
Last month the president issued multiple proclamations to impose additional tariffs on Canadian goods.
One such proclamation targeted Canadian dairy.
Canada “treats the commerce of certain foreign countries more favorably than commerce of the United States with respect to dairy and in turn, places a burden and disadvantage on the commerce of the United States.”
The others included alcohol and cars.
It appears the dairy, alcohol, and vehicle trade irritants will be addressed.
A notice on the White House website indicates “Canada has expressed a commitment to remove the discriminations or unreasonable and unequal impositions at issue in Proclamations 11046 (alcohol), 11047 (dairy), and 11048 (motor vehicles).”
Aside from the two leaders, only American officials have put out comments related to the new developments.
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s official X account congratulated the president on the negotiations, saying in part the deal “will include comprehensive market access for all American goods…”