White House tempers tough talk on Canada trade as inflation tops voter concerns

According to NBC News, President Donald Trump told reporters over the weekend that a potential trade deal with Canada would be "settled pretty soon."[1] NBC reports that Trump added, "They're willing to give us anything at this moment."[1]Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday that trade talks have seen a "slight intensification"[1], according to NBC. NBC reports that Carney told reporters in Ottawa, "To the extent any progress has been made, it's because the U.S. is coming closer to our position."[1]NBC News reports that since advanced trade talks collapsed in August, the Trump administration has slapped 50% tariffs on hundreds of categories of Canadian imports.[1] Yahoo News reports that on Friday the administration added new exemptions to the list of Canadian products subject to 50 percent duties[2], and also added some consumer goods to the list.According to NBC, National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said on Fox News that the two countries are "very close to finally having a deal"[1]. NBC reports, however, that neither the American nor the Canadian statements since then appeared to support such a sunny reading of the situation.[1]NBC reports that in Michigan, Republican nominee and former Rep. Mike Rogers has called for an end to the trade war with Canada.[1] Yahoo News reports that Maine Senator Susan Collins said she will keep pressing officials to "encourage a broader trade agreement with Canada"[2].According to NBC, Carney said Canada has "very clear bottom lines, red lines"[1] that kept it from signing the August offer.