OTTAWA AND WASHINGTON SEEK TO AVOID IMPOSITION OF 50 PERCENT TARIFFS

WASHINGTON, AUGUST 18 /SRNA/ – The United States and Canada are negotiating in an effort to reach a truce in their trade dispute before the deadline of 00:01 tomorrow set by US President Donald Trump, which would avert the imposition of 50 percent tariffs on Canadian products, AP reports.

"The negotiations are very intense and sensitive. This is not the time to discuss the talks publicly," told the press.

Carney and Trump spoke by phone yesterday about the ongoing trade negotiations, Carney’s office said, indicating a final attempt to reach an agreement before the deadline expires on Wednesday.

The two countries have been at odds over trade issues for decades, trading criticism over sensitive matters such as imports of Canadian softwood lumber and access for US products to Canada’s protected dairy market.