Donald Trump promises a rapid trade agreement with Canada, despite tariffs and tensions between the two countries

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday at a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, that the United States would quickly reach a trade deal with Canada, despite deteriorating economic relations between the two countries.

Trump claimed that Canadian authorities were willing to accept Washington’s demands and again justified the tariffs imposed on Canadian products. He accused Canada of “never stopping stealing” from the United States, without providing details about any concessions being sought in the negotiations.

Trade tensions intensified at the end of August after the failure of talks aimed at avoiding the imposition of an approximately $20 billion surcharge on Canadian products such as cement, wine and hockey sticks. Ottawa responded with equivalent tariffs on U.S. imports, and Trump subsequently decided on new duties of up to 50% on certain products.

On Friday, the White House amended the list of Canadian goods targeted by these tariffs following a request from Republican Senator Susan Collins. Meanwhile, a U.S. food-import company challenged the surcharges in court, arguing that they constituted an abuse of power and immediately affected companies, suppliers and consumers. Trump was in Michigan to support Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections, scheduled for November 3.