Trump to pause new tariffs on Canadian goods for three days

U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media late Tuesday evening to say Canada and America are close to a trade deal and that he will pause new 50 per cent tariffs that were to go into effect Aug. 19.

The tariffs, set to be applied on billions of dollars worth of goods, would have hit certain segments of the Canadian economy hard, including cut flowers and hockey sticks.

Trump also said the Keystone XL Pipeline, cancelled in 2021, may be revived as part of the deal.

Delayed for many years before its cancellation, the pipeline was to carry hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil per day from Alberta to Nebraska.

The United States Trade Representative said on social media the coming trade deal “will include comprehensive market access for all American goods, economic security commitments, digital trade alignment, and many important provisions that will continue to protect our market and American workers, along with our Canadian partners.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney commented on the breaking news late Tuesday, saying: “Substantial progress has been made, although there is important work still to be done … While we continue this work, Canada remains focused on building a stronger, more independent, and more competitive economy at home.”

The Carney government has pledged tariff relief to several sectors across the country.

No details on the concessions Canada may have made in the trade talks have been made public.