Trump says Canada deal near, fertilizer to be tariff-free

President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States is close to a trade deal with Canada. "Canada is very good, we're going to make a deal with Canada very soon. We're going to make a great deal," he told Fox News, Reuters reported. On Fox & Friends, Trump said Canada would supply fertilizer to the United States without tariffs under the deal. He gave no details or timeline, and neither government has announced final terms, Investing.com reported.reuters.com+1

His comments came on the day of the US midterm elections. The tariff fight with Canada has become a campaign issue in northern border states like Michigan and Maine, according to Reuters.reuters.com

Weekend Call and Keystone XL

The Prime Minister's Office said Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke on Saturday. On Sunday, Carney said on social media that they had a "good conversation" about a trade deal that would create jobs, make life more affordable and respect Canada's languages, culture and sovereignty. "Our teams will now be working in the coming weeks to deliver that outcome," he wrote, according to The Canadian Press via iPolitics.ipolitics.ca

Speaking to reporters in Iowa on Sunday, Trump said the two countries had "the concept of a deal that's going to be great for our farmers, great for our country and it'll be fine for Canada too." He said the Keystone XL pipeline was part of the talks and that Canada would pay for "all of it." "We're going to give them the route, and it's largely been determined but they'll build the Keystone pipeline," he said, iPolitics reported. The two sides have also discussed lowering US tariffs on Canadian steel and autos, though neither has given specifics, according to The Truth About Cars.thetruthaboutcars.com+1

Thaw After August Collapse

The friendlier tone follows months of conflict. Talks broke down in August, and Trump then imposed 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, banned some imports and signed an order to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America," iPolitics reported. Canada left those talks after rejecting US demands that Carney said threatened its sovereignty, its French-language protections and its auto industry. Canada then hit back with its own tariffs, The Truth About Cars noted.ipolitics.ca+1

Fertilizer matters to American farmers, who depend on Canadian supplies, especially potash, Investing.com noted.investing.com

Not everyone expects a quick deal. As recently as last Wednesday, Carney said Canada was not yet ready to reach an agreement and would sign only when it served Canadians' interests. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Carney had "broken" his promise to get a better deal so far and told him to "deliver real results," according to iPolitics. University of Toronto historian Robert Bothwell compared the better mood to "five minutes of variable sunshine. Rain later," The Truth About Cars reported.thetruthaboutcars.com+1