Canada and US make only limited progress in trade talks as Trump's tariff war becomes a midterm liability

Canada and the US have made only limited headway in renewed trade discussions, with a Canadian official saying on Wednesday that talks remain informal and neither side has put concessions on the table. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc have been in regular contact since Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke by phone on 21 October. The discussions have centred on Section 232 tariffs — including duties of up to 50% on Canadian steel and 25% on cars — which Canada has declined to yield on.

Carney argues that whatever ground has been gained represents Washington shifting toward Canada's position, not Ottawa giving anything up.

Republican candidates in border states are pushing for an end to the tariff war, calling Canada 'not our enemy', with midterms only days away.