A comprehensive tariff agreement between the United States and Canada is not expected to be finalized before the US midterm elections in November, according to Steve Verheul, Canada’s former chief trade negotiator.
Verheul indicated that while a political opening might emerge in the weeks leading up to the vote if the US administration seeks a diplomatic victory, the broader timeline for resolution remains uncertain.
This assessment suggests that businesses operating across the border should prepare for continued regulatory ambiguity rather than an imminent policy reset.
The delay in reaching a deal keeps pressure on sectors heavily reliant on integrated North American supply chains.
Without a clear framework, companies face ongoing risks related to potential tariff impositions and compliance costs, which can erode margins and disrupt logistics planning.
This development adds to a broader pattern of trade friction that has seen other US partners, including Switzerland, navigate shifting leverage dynamics in recent negotiations.