‘I had to do it’: Trump says Canada tariff deal is coming ‘soon’

US President Donald Trump said the United States and Canada could settle their trade dispute soon, claiming the neighbouring country is now willing to make major concessions after Washington imposed higher tariffs on Canadian goods.

Speaking at a political rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, Trump defended his tariff policy and repeated his allegation that Canada had been taking advantage of the United States in trade.

“I had to do it,” Trump told the crowd. “We’ll have that settled pretty soon. They’re willing to give us anything at this moment.”

Trump did not specify what concessions Canada might offer or provide details of a potential agreement. The office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The remarks came as Trump campaigned for Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections, with the trade dispute highlighting the economic stakes of his tariff policy in Michigan.

Trump defends tariffs on Canadian goods

Trump reiterated his argument that higher tariffs were necessary because, in his words, Canada had been “ripping off” the United States.

The trade standoff has raised concerns for businesses operating across the US-Canada border, particularly in the automotive sector. Manufacturers in Michigan depend on closely integrated supply chains that move vehicles and components between the two countries.

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The dispute has also become a political issue in the state, where the manufacturing sector has felt the effects of uncertainty surrounding cross-border trade.

Trump won the region around Port Huron by more than 66 per cent in the 2024 presidential election. However, the local economy has been affected by the tariff standoff, including through its links to the Detroit-based auto industry.

Michigan auto industry voices concerns

Republican Congressman Mike Rogers, who is running against Democratic rival Abdul El-Sayed in a closely contested Senate race, has sought to distance himself from Trump’s tariff policy on the automotive sector.

Rogers praised the tariffs for securing manufacturing investments in Michigan from Chevrolet and Detroit Diesel. However, he acknowledged that tariffs on Canadian goods remained a concern for automakers.

“The automobile portion of these Canadian tariffs worries me a little bit,” Rogers said on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday.

“There’s some good and there’s some things we have to work on,” he added.

What happens next?

Trump’s latest comments suggest he expects negotiations with Canada to produce a resolution, but they do not establish that an agreement is imminent.

The US president did not outline the outstanding issues between the two countries, identify any concessions under discussion or provide a timeline for a deal.

For businesses operating across the border, the terms of any eventual agreement will be critical. A resolution could provide greater clarity on trade costs and supply-chain planning, while continued uncertainty could complicate decisions for manufacturers with operations in both countries.