President Trump signalled that negotiations with Iran remain a possibility, stating they could happen "maybe at some point," while also addressing trade and deal-related developments. The remarks covered three distinct areas: Iran diplomacy, a deal pending document finalization, and the tariff status with Canada.

Key statements at a glance

Iran and deal developments

On the question of engaging with Iran, Trump did not confirm any active or scheduled negotiations, describing the prospect only as a future possibility. Separately, Trump noted that a deal is subject to the finalization of documents, indicating that at least one agreement remains in a pending or incomplete state, though no further details were provided in the source.

Canada tariff position

Trump updated his stance on trade with Canada, stating that the US may bring some tariffs down to a level where other countries are. He justified this potential reduction by noting that Canada was paying a higher tariff previously. This marks a shift from earlier statements suggesting no tariffs were going into Canada, introducing a conditional future adjustment rather than a static zero-tariff posture.

The United Steelworkers union (USW) has welcomed President Trump’s decision to pause the imposition of 50% tariffs on Canadian goods for three days. National Director Marty Warren issued a statement on Aug. 19, 2026, describing the postponement as welcome news for Canadian workers, though he emphasized that significant work remains in the broader trade negotiations.

Trump had previously announced the suspension of the tariffs, which were scheduled to take effect the following morning, citing a deal between the U.S. and Canada subject to final documentation. He also highlighted the potential revival of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Union Response and Key Concerns

Warren noted that while progress in negotiations is encouraging, existing tariffs continue to negatively impact critical Canadian sectors. The union specifically identified steel, aluminum, copper, forestry, and automotive industries as facing ongoing pressure from current trade barriers.

The USW outlined its primary objectives for the ongoing negotiations:

• Protect Canadian jobs and industrial capacity
• Secure meaningful reductions in U.S. tariffs
• Provide certainty for workers and industries to invest and grow

Warren cautioned that "no deal is better than a bad deal" that sacrifices workers or key industries. He urged the Canadian government to negotiate from a position of strength and use the three-day pause to intensify efforts to build domestic industrial capacity.

Context: Tariff Details

The USW represents 225,000 members across nearly every economic sector in Canada. It is the largest private-sector union in North America, with a total membership of 850,000 across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.