Story perspectives

Trump Says US-Canada Trade Deal Near, Before Midterms

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 2:58 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

White House NEC director Kevin Hassett says the United States and Canada are very close to a trade deal.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will negotiate once the United States is ready.
President Donald Trump told Detroit a deal could be reached before the November 3 midterms, though it might take months.
Trump announced exemption of Canadian paper, machinery, plywood, refrigeration equipment and road salt from tariffs effective Oct. 30.

History

Historical Context

Ronald Reagan first promoted a North American free-trade zone in his 1980 campaign, prompting Bush, Mulroney and Salinas to craft NAFTA, which took effect on 1 January 1994 after ratification and labor-environment side accords. The agreement cut tariffs on over half of Mexican exports to the U.S. and over a third of U.S. exports to Mexico, a framework now revisited by Donald Trump and Finance Minister Mark Carney.

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Story summary

White House NEC director Kevin Hassett says the United States and Canada are very close to a trade deal.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will negotiate once the United States is ready.
President Donald Trump told Detroit a deal could be reached before the November 3 midterms, though it might take months.
Trump announced exemption of Canadian paper, machinery, plywood, refrigeration equipment and road salt from tariffs effective Oct. 30.

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