Trump says Canada's recognition of Palestine 'not a deal-breaker' as trade deadline looms

WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Canada's decision to soon recognize the state of Palestine is "not a deal-breaker" as his critical self-imposed deadline for trade talks to conclude rapidly approaches.

Trump earlier Thursday said on social media that Ottawa's decision "will make it very hard for us to make a trade deal" with the country, sparking speculation about how major of a stumbling block it would be. The president later appeared to downplay its significance, saying that while he "didn't like" the announcement, it would not fell negotiations.

"I didn't like what they said, but, you know, that's their opinion. I didn't like that, not a deal-breaker," he told reporters at the White House during an unrelated executive order signing ceremony.

Trump said the US trade team did not speak to Canada on Thursday, the final day before his Aug. 1 deadline for nations to strike trade deals or face heightened US tariffs.

He said there were a "couple" of deals that were reached a "little while ago," but did not offer further details.

"We'll see. But we have made deals today that are excellent deals for the country," he added, without elaborating on which nations reached agreements with his administration.

WASHINGTON

"I didn't like what they said, but, you know, that's their opinion. I didn't like that, not a deal-breaker," he told reporters at the White House during an unrelated executive order signing ceremony.

Trump said the US trade team did not speak to Canada on Thursday, the final day before his Aug. 1 deadline for nations to strike trade deals or face heightened US tariffs.

He said there were a "couple" of deals that were reached a "little while ago," but did not offer further details.

"We'll see. But we have made deals today that are excellent deals for the country," he added, without elaborating on which nations reached agreements with his administration.