Arabic version: استمرار المحادثات التجارية بين الولايات المتحدة وكندا قبل موعد الرسوم الجمركية

According to Cnbc, the United States and Canada were still negotiating Friday as a deadline approached for President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian imports. If no final agreement is reached by 12:01 a.m. ET Saturday, the duties on products including hockey sticks and wine will take effect.

Trump said Friday afternoon that he believed a deal could be reached to avert the tariffs. “I think so. We’ll see,” he said when asked whether the countries had reached an agreement. Before boarding Air Force One, Trump said the deal was moving along and that the U.S. should be able to have a deal with Canada, while stressing the importance of U.S. farmers.

Canada said earlier Friday that it was continuing intensive discussions to “resolve outstanding trade issues” for the mutual benefit of both countries. Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s trade minister for the U.S., and chief Canadian trade negotiator Janice Charette arrived at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in Washington around noon to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

The retaliatory tariffs had initially been scheduled to begin Wednesday. Trump delayed them for three days in a Truth Social post, saying a tentative agreement was subject to finalization of documents. But negotiators left further discussions Wednesday and Thursday without a final deal. LeBlanc said Thursday that the sides were “very close” and continued to make progress.

Negotiators have not disclosed the details of a prospective agreement or remaining sticking points. Existing U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and lumber are a central concern, while Trump has suggested lower duties on Canadian autos could be considered. The administration has said Canada committed to lower trade barriers for the U.S., without providing specifics. The 50% tariff threat was invoked last month under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930.