Washington has hardened its line: trade representative Jamieson Greer told Canada to drop its retaliatory measures or face further tariffs, while Ottawa weighs accepting US car levies and a union says Stellantis may sell its Toronto-area plant.
Washington and Ottawa are negotiating over the terms of their trade relationship, with US President Donald Trump's administration on one side and the Canadian government on the other. The work is being handled by senior trade officials from both countries, with any agreement resting on Trump's sign-off.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Canada must end its retaliatory measures to avoid further US tariffs, Bloomberg reported on Friday. A Canadian union said Stellantis is considering selling its plant in the Toronto area, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Mexico is pressing the United States to lower its tariffs on cars. In Canada, more than 110,000 people had signed a petition by Thursday calling for the removal of US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, according to Daily Sabah.
Canadian officials are considering accepting US tariffs on car exports in return for lower levies on vehicles that comply with the USMCA trade pact, while Mexico is pushing separately for reduced auto duties, according to the Wall Street Journal. The New York Times reports that some Canadian companies may only survive by moving to the United States if Donald Trump goes ahead with 50 percent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods later this month.
Senior US and Canadian trade officials are working to finalise a possible trade agreement, Canadian broadcaster CBC reported. Daily Sabah wrote on Tuesday that the deal could be presented to US President Donald Trump as early as Monday.