“Canada Trade Ministers Pursue Deal with U.S. Before Tariff Deadline”

Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and his American counterpart are working on a joint proposal to potentially present to U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the latest tariff deadline. The aim is to offer Trump a path towards a trade deal before new tariffs on Canadian imports take effect on August 19. The meeting between LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington marks their third face-to-face encounter in three weeks. Their discussions focus on avoiding new tariffs and seeking relief on existing sectoral tariffs on Canadian goods. Additionally, efforts are being made to extend the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) after the Trump administration declined to renew the deal in July. Concerns have been raised by Conservative MPs about the progress of trade negotiations and the need for a strong position in dealings with the White House. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has urged for a robust trade agreement that includes various key points such as zero tariffs on softwood lumber and exemption from Buy America rules on infrastructure projects. The ongoing efforts aim to secure a favorable trade deal between Canada and the United States.