Is a post-midterm deal with Canada possible?
Both countries have signaled little change in their positions since talks collapsed. Trade watchers are waiting for Tuesday’s elections to pass to ascertain whether a US-Canada deal is actually imminent. President Donald Trump’s repeated insistence that a deal is close “matters for a couple of key states” like Michigan, Washington Council Ernst & Young’s Blake Harden told Semafor. “So it’s hard to know if it’s the midterms that are motivating that from the White House and whether that calculus changes after.” Both countries have signaled little change in their positions since talks collapsed, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledging “our teams will work over the coming weeks” to advance the ball. The US and Canada may have “more room to make a deal” post-election, Harden said, or “could actually get more dug in” without an “action-forcing event.” The White House is keeping details of talks closely held. “The Trump administration welcomes continued engagement with Canada as we work toward finalizing the details of a deal that will deliver meaningful results for the American people,” a White House official told Semafor.
Both countries have signaled little change in their positions since talks collapsed. Trade watchers are waiting for Tuesday’s elections to pass to ascertain whether a US-Canada deal is actually imminent. President Donald Trump’s repeated insistence that a deal is close “matters for a couple of key states” like Michigan, Washington Council Ernst & Young’s Blake Harden told Semafor.
“So it’s hard to know if it’s the midterms that are motivating that from the White House and whether that calculus changes after.” Both countries have signaled little change in their positions since talks collapsed, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledging “our teams will work over the coming weeks” to advance the ball. The US and Canada may have “more room to make a deal” post-election, Harden said, or “could actually get more dug in” without an “action-forcing event.” The White House is keeping details of talks closely held.
“The Trump administration welcomes continued engagement with Canada as we work toward finalizing the details of a deal that will deliver meaningful results for the American people,” a White House official told Semafor.