Trump says Canada tariff deal has been 'pretty much' struck, with concessions on the table from autos to liquor

Key Points:

• President Trump indicated late Friday that US-Canada trade negotiators had "pretty much" struck a deal as talks continued in Washington ahead of a midnight deadline, expressing confidence in reaching an agreement.
• Key issues in the negotiations include auto tariffs, with a possible reduction from 25% to 15%, and metal tariffs, where exemptions for Canadian steel under USMCA may be restored, though concerns remain about the adequacy of tariff reductions.
• The talks follow a pause triggered by Trump's threat to impose 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods, with potential tariff relief spanning automobiles, metals, and farm goods if disagreements are resolved.
• Canadian officials, including negotiator Dominic LeBlanc, reported progress, while some provincial leaders like Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew expressed resistance to US liquor imports, urging Canadians to boycott them in protest of Trump's trade tactics.
• The final deal is expected to improve market access for US farmers, reduce Canadian digital services taxes, and potentially restart the Keystone XL pipeline, which was previously halted by the Biden administration.