Donald Trump has paused the implementation of 50% tariffs on Canadian goods worth approximately $20 billion, stepping back from the brink of a major trade escalation just hours before the duties were set to take effect. The decision represents a dramatic last-minute reversal that offers both nations a brief window to negotiate a resolution to their mounting trade dispute. Trump announced that Washington and Ottawa now have three days to reach a final agreement, with the tariffs poised to return if negotiations fail to produce results by the deadline. The move signals that despite months of acrimonious rhetoric and threats, both sides may yet find common ground before trade tensions spiral further out of control. Canada’s government has indicated its willingness to engage in intensive talks during this compressed timeframe, though significant disagreements remain over the terms of any potential settlement. The tariff threat has destabilised markets and raised concerns about the broader economic implications for North America’s integrated supply chains, which rely heavily on cross-border trade between the two countries.
Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.