Overview

• The leaders held a working Oval Office meeting and lunch on Oct. 7, with Canadian officials cautioning against expectations of an immediate deal.
• Carney prioritized sector-specific relief, focusing on 50% steel and aluminum tariffs imposed under U.S. national-security trade authorities.
• Trump said tariffs would be central to the discussion and indicated willingness to revisit USMCA or pursue separate arrangements, without making commitments.
• Canada has rolled back some counter-tariffs and scrapped a digital services tax, as new U.S. measures such as a 25% tariff on heavy trucks starting Nov. 1 increase pressure.
• Domestic political and industry pressure on Carney is mounting for tangible tariff relief, with next year’s USMCA review heightening the stakes for both countries.