Midnight showdown looms as US and Canada meet to sidestep Trump’s tariff blitz

The US and Canada are locked in last-minute talks to prevent a fresh wave of tariffs from striking at 00:01 ET on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump has vowed to slap 50% duties on $20 billion (€17.2bn) worth of Canadian products if a deal is not reached in time.

Mark Carney will need to sell Canadians on any concessions made to the US as negotiators scramble to reach a deal to avoid Trump’s latest tariffs.

New 50% import taxes could hit liquor, hockey gear and wood products like particle board.

Ottawa is pressing for a reduction in levies on autos and lumber, two sticking points in negotiations

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met on Sunday, days ahead of the latest tariff threat from the American president.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says any new U.S. trade deal must remove softwood lumber tariffs. Negotiations in Washington are nearing the Aug. 19 deadine for an agreement.