The United States and Canada have wrangled for decades over trade, poking each other interminably over sore spots like Canadian softwood lumber imports and U.S. access to Canada\u2019s protected dairy market.<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump\u2019s belligerent approach to dealing with Canada marks an extraordinary departure from the traditionally cooperative relationship between the two countries. Trump has hit Canadian goods with tariffs \u2014 in a push to bring manufacturing back to the United States \u2014 and has repeatedly made inflammatory comments about turning Canada into America\u2019s 51st state.<\/p>\n
Tension could hit new heights at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday if Trump goes ahead with his plan to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products, ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors.<\/p>\n
As the deadline approaches, the two countries are seeking a truce that would avoid the new round of tariffs.<\/p>\n
\u2033We are negotiating,\u201d Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Monday, speaking in French. \u201cThe negotiations are very intense and delicate. This is not the time to talk about negotiations in public.\u201d<\/p>\n