US President Donald Trump has suggested that the ongoing trade war with Canada could end soon, claiming Ottawa is prepared to make concessions to resolve the dispute.
Trump made the remarks during a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, accusing Canada of taking advantage of the United States through unfair trade practices.
“Canada has been ripping off the United States for years, OK? For years. And I had to do it. We’ll have that settled pretty soon. They’re willing to give us anything at this moment,” Trump said.
Relations between Washington and Ottawa have remained strained since Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government withdrew from formal trade negotiations in August, citing unreasonable last-minute demands from the US.
Washington subsequently imposed tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of Canadian products, prompting Canada to introduce retaliatory measures.
The dispute has become a major issue ahead of November’s US midterm elections, particularly in closely contested states.
On Friday, Trump announced plans to remove some 50 percent tariffs on Canadian imports while introducing new duties on dozens of other products, including garbage and sewage.
The changes followed requests from Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, whose state has been affected by the trade dispute.
