Trump pauses 50pc tariffs on Canadian goods for three days

WASHINGTON, Aug 19: US President Donald Trump paused the planned rollout of new tariffs on Canadian goods late Tuesday, after negotiations between both countries that went down to the wire.

The temporary reprieve from the 50-percent duties would last three days, the US leader said in a social media post. The tariffs were originally set to take effect Wednesday.

The delay was "based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Trump's announcement came after he held urgent talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday afternoon, hours before the duties were due to come into place. 

The leaders also spoke Monday, after Carney told reporters that discussions to avert the duties were at an "intense and delicate" stage.�"AFP