Canada has already begun talks with members of Donald Trump's circle about avoiding new trade tariffs if he's elected U.S. president this fall.

If it happens, the Canadians have warned of retaliation.

The public line from Canada for months has been that Trump's proposed 10 per cent tariff should not apply on this continent because of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade deal.

But CBC News has learned that a deeper conversation is already underway: Trump's allies aren't promising any relief, and the sides are discussing what a negotiation might look like to maintain tariff-free trade.

The bottom line: within months, Canada could find itself in trade negotiations again with Trump if he wins this election.