Donald Trump optimistic about resolving trade war with Canada

President Donald Trump said a trade deal with Canada could happen soon, framing the northern neighbor as desperate to reach an agreement while simultaneously presiding over one of the most aggressive tariff escalations between the two countries in modern history. Trump made the remarks on September 12 during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin, calling out Canadian tariffs on US farmers and claiming that Ottawa wants a deal “very badly.” The tariff timeline The current standoff traces back to a near-agreement in mid-August that collapsed at the last minute. The US responded to the breakdown by slapping 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, hitting sectors like dairy, alcohol, steel, aluminum, and automotive parts. Canada didn’t sit quietly. Ottawa enacted retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on approximately $20 billion in US exports, which took effect on September 8. Four days later, Trump was in Dublin talking about how close a deal might be. Trump has also invoked Section 338 measures, authorizing outright import bans on specific Canadian industries. Those bans are set to kick in on September 29. The tariffs currently in play...