Trump pauses new tariffs on Canada for three days, saying deal close
Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Warm-up
- What products from Canada do people buy in your country?
- How can tariffs change prices for shoppers?
- When is it useful to pause a decision during talks?
Vocabulary
- tariff
- A tax a government puts on goods coming from another country.
- levy
- An amount of money collected as a tax or charge.
- import
- A product brought into a country from abroad to be sold.
- impasse
- A situation where progress is blocked because sides cannot agree.
- negotiator
- A person who takes part in formal talks to reach a deal.
- concession
- Something one side agrees to give up to help make a deal.
- pipeline
- A long tube for moving oil or gas over long distances.
- quota
- An official limit on the amount of something allowed.
Reading
US President Donald Trump has delayed new tariffs on Canadian goods for three days, saying a deal is close. A 50% levy on nearly $20bn of imports was due to start. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said substantial progress has been made, although work remains.
Trade negotiators say talks continue, but an impasse remains over US auto tariffs and liquor bans by many Canadian provinces. Businesses on both sides of the border welcomed the pause.
A final pact could revive the Keystone XL pipeline linking Alberta and the US, a project opposed by environmentalists and indigenous groups. The US wants concessions such as removing Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on American autos and adjusting dairy quotas for US cheese. Canada seeks relief from existing tariffs on steel, aluminium, autos and lumber.
Reports suggest a cut in US auto tariffs from 25% to 15%, but the sides disagree on which vehicles would qualify. Carney will need provincial support to end the alcohol ban. The US Chamber of Commerce warned that higher tariffs would hurt both economies and risk jobs.
Comprehension
- How long did Trump delay the new tariffs on Canada?
- What tax rate was planned for the new tariffs?
- What is the value of Canadian imports targeted by the levy?
- Which project could a final deal help to revive?
- Name one sector already facing US tariffs on Canadian goods.
Grammar focus
Both/either/neither
Use both/either/neither to talk about two things. 'Both' means the two together, 'either' means one or the other, 'neither' means not one and not the other. (Examples constructed.)
- Neither country has agreed to all the terms.
- Both sides welcomed the pause in talks.
Grammar exercise
Choose the correct option in each sentence.
- Provinces (both / neither) ban the same alcohol brands now.
- A deal would help (both / either) economies across the border.
- If talks fail, (neither / both) side will gain from it.
- Companies on (either / both) sides welcomed the pause.
- The pipeline could anger (either / neither) environmentalists or locals.
Discussion
- Are tariffs a good way to protect jobs? Why or why not?
- Should either country make concessions to reach this deal?
- How could a liquor ban affect shoppers and local stores?
- What risks do both economies face if talks fail?
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