Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and his American counterpart are working towards presenting a potential trade deal to U.S. President Donald Trump by Monday, according to sources familiar with the matter. The aim is to provide Trump with the proposal ahead of his tariff deadline, giving him time to make a final decision before new tariffs on Canadian imports take effect on August 19.
LeBlanc recently met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington for the third time in three weeks. Following the meeting, LeBlanc mentioned that discussions are ongoing and that he and Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, will continue engaging at the negotiation table.
Efforts are being made to prevent new tariffs on Canadian goods and seek relief from existing sectoral tariffs imposed by the U.S. on products like steel, aluminum, lumber, and autos. Additionally, there is a hope for an extension of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) after the Trump administration declined to renew the deal in July.
The U.S. previously announced tariffs, citing various trade issues, including Canada’s response to U.S. trade policies and alleged discrimination against U.S. vehicles and dairy products. These tariffs cover approximately five percent of Canadian exports and target items such as alcohol, hockey sticks, and cement.
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner emphasized the importance of Canada negotiating from a position of strength with the White House. She expressed concerns over the delay in securing a trade agreement with the Trump administration and called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to deliver on his promises to Canadians. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also urged Carney to prioritize zero tariffs on softwood lumber, the removal of sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum, a tariff-free auto pact, and exemptions to Buy America rules on government infrastructure projects.
The push for progress in trade negotiations comes amidst ongoing efforts to address trade disputes between Canada and the U.S., with the hope of presenting a viable trade proposal to President Trump before the upcoming tariff deadline.