The National Post reports in its Wednesday, July 2, edition that United States Ambassador Pete Hoekstra said Monday with Canada's digital services tax scrapped, a free trade deal between Canada and the U.S. is imminent. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post reports that while Mr. Hoekstra is uncertain if talks can conclude by the July 21 target set in June, he is confident a deal will be reached. He said: "We will get to an agreement. The only question is how long will it take. ... I'm confident we will have an agreement." Mr. Hoekstra emphasized that free trade between Canada and the U.S. is good for both countries, but that policies such as Canada's now-defunct digital services tax are irritants that get in the way. He said the tax, however, was not the only trade irritant irking the U.S. Others include provincial policies that have pulled American alcohol off store shelves and other anti-competitive measures that make it difficult for U.S. companies to compete in this market. President Donald Trump has also made it clear that he does not like Canada's supply management policies protecting the dairy and poultry industries because they make it difficult for American producers to compete in the Canadian market.