Canada and the U.S. scramble to reach a trade deal before new tariffs hit

Canada's trade minister and lead negotiator are in Washington trying to strike a temporary deal with their U.S. counterpart before Aug. 19. That's when the U.S. plans to slap a 50-per-cent import tax on about US$20-billion worth of Canadian goods — including alcohol, dairy and electronics. Sources say the outline of a deal is forming, but nothing is settled and President Trump hasn't approved it.