Tariffs Deadline Near as Trump Threat Looms

Canada and the United States are on the brink of a tariff deadline, with Donald Trump threatening 50% levies on roughly $20 billion in Canadian goods unless a last-minute deal is reached. Ottawa has pressed for concessions to avoid the tariffs and has signaled willingness to lift retaliatory duties on certain U.S. imports, while Prime Minister Mark Carney has described negotiations as delicate and intense. The tariffs would affect a wide range of sectors including autos, dairy, alcohol, lumber, furniture, and electronics, with potential ripple effects across supply chains and prices in both countries. Quebec and other provinces worry about the impact on exports, jobs, and regional economies, even as governments maintain that a deal could preserve broader North American trade ties. Analysts note that private talks are tied to broader issues under the USMCA framework, including market access and additional trade talks beyond tariffs. A possible reprieve or delay could ease tensions, but a concrete agreement remains uncertain as the midnight deadline approaches.