Canada’s Trade Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, and his American counterpart are working on presenting a potential trade deal to U.S. President Donald Trump, with the aim of doing so as early as Monday, as per CBC News sources. The joint proposal is hoped to be ready for Trump’s consideration at least a day before the upcoming tariff deadline on August 19, which would impose new 50% levies on numerous Canadian imports. The sources, who were briefed on the matter recently, requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly.
LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met in Washington on Tuesday for the third time within three weeks. Following the meeting, neither LeBlanc nor Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, responded to reporters’ inquiries. The discussions lasted approximately an hour, and LeBlanc later mentioned on X that talks are ongoing and they will persist in engaging at the negotiation table.
Besides aiming to prevent new tariffs on Canadian goods, LeBlanc and Charette are seeking relief from sectoral tariffs the U.S. has imposed on various Canadian products, including steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles. 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 the implementation of tariffs on August 19 due to several trade disputes, including Canada’s response to U.S. trade policies affecting alcohol sales and alleged discriminatory practices against U.S. motor vehicles and dairy products. The tariffs will impact around five percent of Canadian exports to the U.S., covering a range of goods from alcohol to sports equipment.
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner emphasized the importance of Canada negotiating from a position of strength with the White House. She also criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney for not securing a trade agreement with the Trump administration despite being in office for over a year. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre echoed these sentiments, urging Carney to prioritize 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 nationwide.