Trump: US suspends 50 percent tariff on Canada for 3 days

United States (US) President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening (18/8) local time announced that the 50 percent tariff on certain Canadian goods, scheduled to take effect on Wednesday (19/8), has been suspended for three days.

“Canada and the US have reached an agreement, pending finalisation of documents,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney subsequently said in a statement that substantial progress had been made, although important work still needed to be completed.

Carney said both parties had held intensive discussions over the past several weeks, adding that efforts would continue to provide greater certainty and tangible benefits for Canadian businesses, workers, farmers and families.

Earlier, a brief statement released by the Office of the Canadian Prime Minister confirmed that the two leaders held a telephone call on Tuesday evening and discussed ongoing negotiations aimed at preventing the imposition of US tariffs on Canadian goods worth approximately US$20 billion (US$1 = Rp17,856), according to local media.

Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian minister responsible for Canada-US trade, also held follow-up talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to bridge differences between the two parties, according to local media.

Carney had previously described the last-minute tariff negotiations with the US as intense and difficult.

Trump on 20 July signed a statement imposing an additional 50 percent tariff on certain Canadian goods, accusing Canada of discriminating against US trade.