Canada’s Trade Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, and his American counterpart are working on presenting a potential trade agreement to U.S. President Donald Trump before Monday. The joint proposal aims to be delivered to Trump at least a day before the impending tariff deadline, giving him time to make a final decision before new levies on Canadian imports take effect on August 19.
LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a meeting in Washington, marking their third face-to-face discussion in three weeks. While details of the meeting were not disclosed, discussions are ongoing, and both parties are committed to further engagement at the negotiation table.
Efforts are underway to prevent the imposition of new tariffs on Canadian goods and seek relief from existing sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles. Additionally, there is hope for an extension of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) following the Trump administration’s decision not to renew the deal in July.
The U.S. has highlighted various trade issues with Canada, including retaliatory measures against U.S. trade policies and alleged discrimination in the automotive and dairy sectors. The recent tariffs are set to impact approximately five percent of Canadian exports, covering a range of goods from alcohol to sports equipment.
Conservative MPs have emphasized the importance of securing a strong position in negotiations with the U.S. government. Criticism has been directed at Prime Minister Mark Carney for the perceived lack of progress in securing a trade agreement with the Trump administration. Calls have been made for a comprehensive deal that includes zero tariffs on lumber, an end to sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum, tariff-free auto agreements, and exemptions from Buy America regulations on infrastructure projects.