Hassett says U.S.-Canada trade talks are ‘very close’ to deal

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Defence Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Defence Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Defence Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeNewsEconomyHassett says U.S.-Canada trade talks are ‘very close’ to dealTalks have picked up between Howard Lutnick and Dominic LeBlanc in recent weeks and are ongoingAuthor of the article:María Paula Mijares TorresDirector of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett speaks to reporters outside of the White House on November 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesTop White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said U.S.-Canada trade negotiations have “picked up” and are “gathering steam,” two days after the Trump administration modified Canadian tariffs to benefit some Maine businesses following lobbying by Senator Susan Collins.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account“I think it’s very close to finally having a deal on that,” Hassett, the White House National Economic Council director, said on Fox News’ The Sunday Briefing, adding that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick “has been talking to his Canadian counterparts all week.”This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday that he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump and addressed the trade talks. Carney said he’s “ready to sit down and negotiate when the U.S. is” but for “a deal that’s in the interests of Canadians.”SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againTalks have picked up between Lutnick and Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister responsible for the negotiations with the U.S., in recent weeks and are ongoing, a U.S. official said Sunday, who said prospects remain unclear since the U.S. doesn’t believe Canada is offering enough yet. The president will only approve a deal that is good for the U.S., said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive talks.Trump also struck an upbeat tone on Sunday, telling Detroit’s Fox 2 channel that “we’re getting close to a deal, and a deal could happen that’s going to be very good for everybody.” He said to expect a deal in “probably a couple of months,” then added it “could be before the actual election.”Trump commented while campaigning Sunday in Michigan, a battleground and border state in the Nov. 3 midterm elections where the tariff war with Canada has weighed on the Republican Party.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Canada “remains in constructive dialogue” with the U.S. on tariffs, LeBlanc’s office said in a statement Sunday. “We stand ready to work constructively and in good faith towards a more mutually beneficial trading relationship that respects Canada’s interests.”The White House has said it’s exempting some Canadian products from tariffs and adding duties to others, an effort to boost Collins’ campaign to keep her U.S. Senate seat in Maine.“President Trump has put the citizens of Maine first,” Hassett said on Sunday.The U.S. will remove 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian plywood, bleached paper, cartons and specialized machinery for agriculture, Collins said Friday, saying it will help the state’s rural and coastal economy. The move came after the negotiations over a U.S.-Canada tariff deal imploded in August and the countries announced a series of retaliatory measures.On the Fox News show Sunday, Hassett said helping Maine and Alaska fisheries has been “almost above everything else that we’ve done at the National Economic Council,” an unusually candid explanation of White House priorities ahead of the midterms.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.The U.S. Department of Agriculture created its first-ever Office of Seafood in April and the administration unveiled a broader “America First Seafood Strategy” on Friday.Collins, a Republican in a competitive reelection race, has touted her ability to secure tariff reductions that affect Maine consumers and businesses. The Democratic candidate, Troy Jackson, said on Friday in a social media post that Collins “wants credit for bringing a cup of water to put out the fire,” contending that she only acted because she is at risk of losing her seat.Trump exempted road salt and other products from the tariffs last month, following a request from Collins, at the same time that he announced a series of retaliatory measures after the US-Canada talks had collapsed. Canada also amended its own retaliatory duties to remove seafood products.With assistance from Derek Decloet, Josh Wingrove and Brian PlattThis advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.