Canada’s former chief trade negotiator, Steve Verheul, says Ottawa is unlikely to secure a tariff deal with the United States before the U.S. midterm elections. Speaking to an online business audience, Verheul argues the timeline is constrained by U.S. political and negotiating priorities tied to the midterms. He adds that there could be a limited window in the fall when the U.S. administration is seeking a win, which might create an opportunity for movement on negotiations. Still, he does not expect a full agreement before the elections, suggesting that broader progress would likely extend beyond that period. The reports agree on Verheul’s central assessment: a tariff deal before the midterms is not the near-term prospect. They also align on the idea that any potential progress would depend on whether the U.S. administration actively pursues a bargaining outcome during the lead-up to the vote.