Politics · Canada · 1 hr ago
Canada Sees a Faint Chance of a U.S. Trade Deal Before Midterms
Canadian officials say a trade deal with the U.S. before next month’s midterms remains possible, but they do not expect one.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke this week about trade and other issues.
Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, says officials are in contact with their U.S. counterparts, but there is no timeline for formal talks to resume.
Negotiations broke down in late August after Canada and the U.S. failed to agree on tariffs and other issues.
Washington then imposed tariffs on about US$20 billion of Canadian goods, and Ottawa responded with tariffs on a similar value of U.S. products.
The dispute matters because tariffs are affecting businesses and sectors on both sides of the border.
Charette says Canada is ready to return to discussions, and the countries are also expected to enter a formal review of the USMCA, the agreement governing trade among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
Canadian officials have not ruled out a trade deal with the United States before next month’s midterm elections, but sources said the possibility remains faint.
Canadian chief negotiator Janice Charette said there is no timeline for resuming formal trade talks.
Canada and the United States are still communicating as they try to stabilize a relationship Charette described as unstable and unpredictable.
Formal negotiations broke down in late August, after which Washington imposed new tariffs on about US$20-billion worth of Canadian goods and Ottawa imposed countertariffs on a similar value of U.S. products.
Sources said U.S. public opinion and pressure on the White House could affect the prospects for a deal.
- Who
- Canadian officials and U.S. counterparts, including trade negotiators and leaders.
- What
- Canada has not ruled out a trade deal before the U.S. midterms, but there is no timeline for restarting formal talks.
- When
- The reports were published Oct. 22 and 23, 2026; the U.S. midterms are next month.
- Where
- Canada and the United States.
- Why
- The countries are seeking to stabilize their trade relationship amid tariffs, but the sources do not state that a deal is expected.
Canadian government
U.S. administration
Prospects for talks
Canadian government
Canadian officials said a deal before the midterms was possible, though not guaranteed.
U.S. administration
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the administration was in no hurry to restart talks.
Trade relationship
Canadian government
Canada said it was seeking to stabilize a relationship that was not stable or predictable.
U.S. administration
Greer said the United States was still getting what it needed from Canada and that trade between the countries remained strong.
Canada and the United States held negotiations aimed at lowering some tariffs and avoiding new levies.
The talks broke down after Prime Minister Mark Carney walked away from the negotiating table before a deadline.
Washington imposed tariffs on about US$20-billion worth of Canadian goods, and Ottawa imposed countertariffs on a similar value of U.S. products.
Canada’s Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations held its previous meeting.
Carney said he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about trade, the Iran war and the Middle East.
Charette said there was no timeline for resuming formal talks; Canadian officials also briefed the advisory committee on the state of discussions.
- Possible deal
- Before next month’s U.S. midterms; considered faint and not guaranteed
- Formal talks
- No timeline to resume
- Tariffs on Canadian goods
- About US$20-billion worth
- Canadian countertariffs
- A similar value of U.S. products
- Previous committee meeting
- Sept. 4, 2026
- Advisory committee
- 24 members
4 sources
What people are saying
We don’t know exactly when that’s going to happen.
We’re trying to stabilize the relationship because we are not in a position where it is stable right now. It’s certainly not predictable.
anything is possible.
We’re still getting what we need from them in terms of oil, gas, potash, all of these things.
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This morning, Chief Trade Negotiator Charette, Ambassador Wiseman and I met with members of the Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations. To learn more about the meeting, visit: