US President Donald Trump said he will delay imposing new tariffs on a wide array of Canadian goods for three days as the countries firm up a trade deal.

“I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!” Trump said in a social media post.

The announcement came less than two hours before a 50% levy on nearly $20bn (£14.8bn; C$28bn) of Canadian imports was set to go in place.

The two sides have been at an impasse on several issues, including US tariffs on autos and many Canadian provinces banning American liquor sales.

Senior trade representatives for both countries met on Wednesday morning in Washington after Trump’s tariff pause, indicating that discussions on a possible deal are still ongoing.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump characterised the deal as “very good” for both countries.

He suggested it would include concessions from Canada on agriculture and manufacturing, as well as a reduction of certain US tariffs on Canada.

Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke twice this week, and trade negotiators have been engaged in intense talks since July, after the US president threatened the new levy with a deadline of 19 August.

“Substantial progress has been made, although there is important work still to be done,” Carney said in a letter posted on X.

In his post on Tuesday night, Trump also said a final trade deal could allow the revival of the Keystone XL pipeline. The oil pipeline, which would connect Alberta to the US, was blocked by both the Obama and Biden administrations.

Environmentalists and indigenous groups have long opposed the pipeline but Trump has said multiple times he would like to revive the project, which would carry 830,000 barrels of oil a day.

“The great Keystone XL Pipeline, long ago killed by Sleepy Joe Biden, may be awoken from the grave!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“The deal will include comprehensive market access for all American goods, economic security commitments, digital trade alignment”, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s office posted on X.

It will also include “many important provisions that will continue to protect our market and American workers, along with our Canadian partners”, it added.