Arabic version: كندا والولايات المتحدة تضعان اللمسات الأخيرة على اتفاق تجاري وسط غموض التفاصيل

According to BBC News, Canada and the United States are finalising a trade deal after negotiations accelerated in Washington, though the scope of the agreement and remaining issues have not been disclosed. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney both described the talks as successful.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said after a 45-minute meeting with Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc that the US was “very happy” with the discussions. He said the agreement would protect US workers, jobs and supply chains while strengthening the North American economy, and would eliminate some US “irritants” with Canada.

Trump said Canada had agreed to eliminate tariffs affecting US farmers, without identifying the agricultural sectors involved. Asked whether US tariffs on Canadian goods would also be reduced, he said they would fall “by a little bit”. A planned wave of new 50% US tariffs on Canadian goods was paused until the weekend.

Canada has sought reductions or removal of US tariffs on steel, aluminium, automobiles and lumber. The US has sought the removal of remaining Canadian retaliatory tariffs on American autos, greater access for US cheese producers and an end to provincial restrictions on US alcohol sales. LeBlanc said Canada’s dairy supply management programme would remain “entirely intact”.

Carney briefed his cabinet and provincial leaders, saying the government’s aim was the greatest possible US market access for Canadian businesses. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said talks continued over possible reductions in existing sectoral tariffs. Business groups on both sides have urged a deal, while Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters president Dennis Darby said negotiators appeared close to a final agreement.