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# Trump Pauses 50% Tariffs Against Canada, Says Deal Is Near
- URL: https://bevnews.net/breaking-trump-pauses-50-tariffs-against-canada-says-deal-has-been-reached/
- Published: 2026-08-19T03:12:25.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-19T04:53:08.000Z
- Author: Joel Whitaker
- Tags: tariffs

President Trump said he "paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three-day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents," have a DEAL! The great Keystone XL Pipeline, long ago killed by Sleepy Joe Biden, may be awoken from the grave!"

The announcement was posted on Truth Social. 

**Chris Swonger**, president, **Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.,** said in a statement:

"We appreciate President Trump’s continued commitment to restoring access for American spirits products across Canada following the discriminatory sales bans that have unfairly targeted U.S. distillers for more than a year and a half. 

"These provincial bans have caused exports of American spirits to drop by more than 70%, leaving American distillers caught in the middle of a broader trade dispute. As discussions continue over the next few days, we encourage leaders on both sides of the border to reach a negotiated solution that gets American spirits back on retail shelves in all Canadian provinces and returns the spirits sector to a zero-for-zero tariff framework."

Trump's 50% tariffs were to affect just 5% of Canada's exports to the U.S. But there was concern the new tariff risked escalating into a trade war between the North American neighbors. 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a statement an hour later didn't speak of a tentative deal, didn't say which concessions might have been made and suggested Trump's decision was a postponement. 

"Substantial progress has been made, although there is important work still to be done. While we continue this work, Canada remains focused on building a stronger, more independent, and more competitive economy at home," the statement said.

In his own statement after Trump's announcement, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the deal included "comprehensive market access for all American goods, economic security commitments, digital trade alignment, and many important provisions that will continue to protect our market and American workers, along with our Canadian partners." He didn't offer specifics.

***This story was updated at 12:39 a.m. Aug. 18, 2026.***