Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and his American counterpart are reportedly working on presenting a potential trade deal to U.S. President Donald Trump as early as Monday. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the aim is to deliver the joint proposal to Trump before the looming tariff deadline, allowing him time to make a final decision before new 50% levies on numerous Canadian imports are set to come into effect on August 19.
LeBlanc recently engaged in discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, marking their third in-person meeting within three weeks. Following the meeting, neither LeBlanc nor Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, provided comments to reporters. LeBlanc later shared on social media that talks are ongoing, emphasizing his and Charette’s commitment to further negotiations.
In addition to urging against the imposition of new tariffs, LeBlanc and Charette are seeking relief from sectoral tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles. Canada is also hopeful that ongoing trade talks will lead to an extension of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), after the Trump administration chose not to renew the deal in July.
The U.S. recently announced the upcoming tariffs, citing various trade issues, such as Canada’s response to U.S. trade policies, including the removal of U.S. alcohol from provincial stores and alleged discrimination against U.S. motor vehicles and dairy products. These actions have resulted in significant drops in wine and spirit exports to Canada, with the new tariffs covering approximately 5% of Canadian exports to the U.S., spanning from alcohol to sports equipment to building materials.
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner emphasized the importance of Canada negotiating from a position of strength with the White House, expressing concerns about the lack of a trade agreement with the Trump administration. Rempel Garner called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to fulfill his promise to Canadians and deliver a beneficial trade deal. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre echoed these sentiments, urging Carney to secure a deal that includes zero tariffs on softwood lumber, an end to sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum, a tariff-free auto pact, and exemptions to Buy America rules on infrastructure projects at all government levels.
