The talks, which stalled after a breakdown in August, have resurfaced amid a new Canadian federal election and heightened tensions in Alberta. The earlier impasse stemmed from Canada’s imposition of retaliatory duties on U.S. goods and the U.S. response, which has hit consumers and businesses on both sides of the border.
President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Fox 2, saying a deal could materialise within a couple of months and that he would only approve terms that benefit the United States. Meanwhile, the administration has already lifted 50 % tariffs on Canadian plywood, bleached paper, cartons and specialised machinery, and exempted road salt, a move credited to Senator Susan Collins.
The dispute has become a campaign issue in battleground states. In Michigan, Trump highlighted a potential agreement during a campaign stop, while in Maine, Collins faces a tight race and has lobbied for tariff relief that could boost the state’s rural economies. The White House has also focused on fisheries, citing European regulations that have threatened Maine lobster exports.
U.S. officials say negotiations are ongoing and that a formal agreement would likely be signed in the coming weeks if both sides agree on the final terms. The outcome will be announced before the midterm elections, potentially influencing voter sentiment in key states.