Canadian officials remain in Washington, D.C., as they try to reach a new trade deal with the United States.

The president has threatened to increase tariffs on some Canadian goods to 35 per cent if there is no deal by Friday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Wednesday that they are seeking the best deal possible for Canadians.

“These are complex, they are comprehensive, they’re constructive negotiations with the Americans,” he said.

“It is possible that they may not conclude by the 1st of August.”

White House officials have said the increased tariff would only apply to goods coming from Canada that do not comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.

Carney said it is likely that a deal with the United States will still include some sector-specific tariffs.

“The president has been very clear, and all the actions bear this out, and that there are certain sectors that are strategic, in their judgement, to the United States economy,” he said.

“The revealed approach of the United States in all those sectors has been to have tariffs, some base level of tariffs, and that’s consistent, with very few relatively minor exceptions.”

Some of the sectors referenced by Carney include aluminum, steel, automobiles and softwood lumber.

Meanwhile, a 50 per cent tariff on some copper products being imported into the United States is set to take effect on Friday.