Trump Signals Possible Trade Breakthrough with Canada: 'You Will Probably See a Deal Fairly Soon'

President Donald Trump says a long-awaited trade agreement with Canada may be on the horizon, telling reporters that a deal could come "fairly soon" — even as he continues to call the country "very difficult to deal with" and warns of looming tariffs on Canadian cars.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump struck an unexpectedly optimistic tone about Canada on Monday, telling reporters that a breakthrough in the stalled trade negotiations between Washington and Ottawa may be close at hand.

"You will probably see a deal with Canada fairly soon," Trump said, according to a CBS News report . The remark came even as the president repeated his familiar complaint that Canada is "very difficult to deal with" — a phrase he has used repeatedly to describe America's northern neighbor throughout his second term.

The comment, delivered during an impromptu exchange with reporters, represents a notable shift in tone from the president, who has spent months escalating tensions with Ottawa over trade imbalances, tariffs and what he has called unfair treatment of American farmers, banks and manufacturers. Just weeks earlier, Trump had warned that car tariffs targeting Canada are slated to take effect on January 1, 2027 .

A Deal 'Fairly Soon' — But Not Without Conditions

Trump's optimism about a trade deal is not new. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One recently, the president said Canadian officials are "dying to make a deal," while maintaining that the country's leaders — not its people — are the problem.

"I find Canada to be very, very difficult to deal with," Trump said. "Their leaders, not the people" .

The president has long framed his trade approach as a pressure campaign designed to extract concessions from Ottawa. In recent months, he has threatened sweeping tariffs, called Canada "one of the worst countries in the entire world" on trade , and repeatedly floated the controversial idea of Canada becoming the "51st state" .

Despite the harsh rhetoric, Trump's latest comments suggest that behind-the-scenes negotiations may be gaining momentum.

Ford Wants a Deal 'As Quick as Possible'

Perhaps the strongest signal that a breakthrough is near came from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, one of Canada's most vocal defenders against American tariffs.

During a recent trip to Washington, Ford told reporters he wants the CUSMA trade agreement — the successor to NAFTA — finalized "as quick as possible." He also predicted that if a deal is signed, "both economies are going to boom" .

Ford has been a leading voice in Canada's pushback against Trump's trade policies, even as he has faced criticism from some Canadians who believe his confrontational approach toward the U.S. president is counterproductive .

The Ontario premier has not shied away from high-stakes rhetoric. In a widely circulated exchange, Ford said Trump could "kiss my a**," prompting the president to fire back by calling him "Flunky Ford" and dismissing him as the "less charismatic, intelligent" version of his late brother Rob Ford. Ford then responded by labeling Trump "a dictator" and "the king of bankruptcies" .

Yet despite the personal animosity, Ford has made clear he wants a deal done