Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and his American counterpart are working on presenting a potential trade deal to U.S. President Donald Trump by Monday, as per sources briefed on the matter. The aim is to provide Trump with the proposal before the upcoming tariff deadline to allow him time to make a final decision regarding new levies on Canadian imports set for August 19.
LeBlanc recently met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, marking their third face-to-face meeting in three weeks. Following the meeting, LeBlanc indicated that discussions are ongoing, and both parties will continue negotiations at the table.
In their efforts to prevent new tariffs, LeBlanc and his team are also seeking relief from sectoral tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, and autos. Additionally, Canada hopes 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. recently announced new tariffs effective August 19, citing various trade concerns, including Canada’s response to U.S. trade policies and alleged discrimination against U.S. products. The targeted goods represent about five percent of Canadian exports to the U.S. and include 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 about the progress of trade negotiations under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership, urging him to deliver on his promise to secure favorable trade agreements with the U.S. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre echoed these sentiments, calling for 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.
