Business · Trade · 55 mins ago
Trump adviser says Canada and US are close to a trade deal
US and Canadian officials are nearing a trade deal, according to Kevin Hassett, a top adviser to President Donald Trump.
Hassett said US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had been speaking with Canadian counterparts, and negotiations had gained momentum.
He blamed the delay on recent Canadian political events, including Alberta voters rejecting a binding referendum on leaving Canada.
The White House has also announced 50 per cent tariffs on some Canadian goods, while removing tariffs on some others.
The changes include exemptions for goods such as seaweed and some plywood, and new tariffs on products including cocoa powder and vinyl flooring.
The tariffs are due to take effect at the end of October, and a Canadian flooring company says the duties could sharply hurt its business.
Canada says it will assess the measures and remains ready to negotiate with the US.
A senior adviser to President Donald Trump said the United States and Canada are very close to a trade deal.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said negotiations had picked up and that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had been speaking with Canadian counterparts.
A U.S. official said the talks were ongoing but their prospects remained uncertain because Washington believed Canada had not offered enough concessions.
Hassett blamed a recent Canadian election and Alberta’s vote against holding a binding separation referendum for making negotiations difficult.
The comments came days after the White House changed tariffs on Canadian goods, exempting some products and adding 50 per cent tariffs on others.
- Who
- Kevin Hassett, a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, said the countries were close to a deal.
- What
- The United States and Canada are negotiating a trade agreement, but the outlook remains uncertain.
- When
- Hassett made the comments on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Hassett spoke on Fox News.
- Why
- The countries are seeking a trade agreement. The U.S. says Canada has not offered enough concessions, while Hassett also blamed recent Canadian political events for delaying talks.
United States
Canada
Concessions
United States
A U.S. official said Canada had not offered enough concessions and that Trump would approve only a deal favorable to the United States.
Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was willing to negotiate, but insisted on a deal that benefits Canadians.
Trade relationship
United States
Hassett said the countries were close to a deal, while the White House imposed new tariffs on some Canadian goods.
Canada
Canada said it remained ready to work constructively and in good faith toward a more mutually beneficial trading relationship.
Negotiations for a U.S.-Canada tariff agreement failed, and both countries announced retaliatory measures.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had spoken with Trump about trade negotiations.
Canada’s trade minister said the latest U.S. tariff measures were being examined.
Hassett said negotiations had gained momentum and the countries were close to a deal.
- U.S. negotiator
- Kevin Hassett
- Canadian prime minister
- Mark Carney
- U.S. commerce secretary
- Howard Lutnick
- U.S. tariffs
- 50 per cent on some Canadian goods
- Talks
- Ongoing, with prospects described as uncertain
3 sources
What people are saying
The negotiations have picked up. They’re gathering steam.
I think we are very close to finally reaching an agreement on that.
willing to sit down to negotiate when the United States is also ready
Canada stands ready to work constructively and in good faith towards a more mutually beneficial trading relationship