The United States and Canada have delayed a planned 50% tariff on $20 billion in Canadian imports, buying negotiators three more days to try to turn last-minute talks into a formal agreement.

President Donald Trump announced the pause on his social-media platform, saying the documents still had to be finalised. The tariff had been due to take effect shortly after midnight and would have applied to a range of Canadian products.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said substantial progress had been made but important work remained, confirming the three-day delay while negotiations continued. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said the pause offered some relief but not the certainty of a signed interim agreement.

A reprieve is not a settlement. What remains unknown is which products would be covered, the legal basis for the measure, the commitments each side is prepared to confirm and whether the pause becomes a durable deal.