Canada-US trade deal talks near finalization

Canada and the United States are close to finalizing a trade agreement that would avert threatened 50% US tariffs on Canadian goods. Tariffs on about USD 20 billion of Canadian imports have been postponed until Saturday. Federal minister Dominic Lee reported significant progress after meeting US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington. Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged provincial premiers to restore US alcohol sales as a concession, a move that has sparked criticism from Canada — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, who called President Donald Trump a 'bad person' and 'not to be trusted.' Kinew argued Canada has leverage and should keep fighting, while other premiers, including those of Canada — Saskatchewan and Canada — Nova Scotia, have backed the negotiation direction. Canada — Ontario and Canada — Quebec have not fully committed, with Canada — Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette withholding endorsement pending economic impact assessment. The provincial bans on US alcohol have been a key sticking point, with eight of ten provinces restricting or banning US alcohol in retaliation for previous tariffs.