Canada, U.S. very close to reaching trade deal, working on lowering tariffs

(Central News Agency, Ottawa, comprehensive foreign news report on the 20th) A senior Canadian official said today that Canada and the United States are "very close" to reaching a trade agreement, which is expected to reduce the implementation of

The tariffs and counter-tariffs have been in place for several months, but some work remains to be done.

Reuters reported that Canadian Minister of Trade with the United States Dominic LeBlanc made the remarks after meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington.

The two sides are trying to reach a consensus before the deadline set by US President Trump. Trump stated that he will impose an additional 50% tariff on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods starting at 12:1 a.m. Eastern Time on the 22nd (12:1 noon Taiwan time).

The agreement, if reached, would mark an easing of nearly two years of tensions between the two long-time allies and key trading partners and open the way for broader negotiations to resume the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

LeBron told the media: "We are very close to reaching an agreement. We continue to make progress and we will stay here to complete all the necessary work."

LeBron held more than three hours of talks with Canada's chief trade negotiator Janice Charette and Greer. As he walked out of the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), LeBlanc said Schachter would continue to negotiate.

Sources pointed out that the proposed agreement is expected to reduce the maximum tariff on Canadian-made vehicles from 25% to 15% and halve the tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum products to 25%.