Key facts
- A Canadian government source stated that the U.S. also desires a trade agreement before the August 19 deadline.
- New U.S. tariffs, if applied, would affect approximately $20 billion of Canadian imports.
- Canadian Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are meeting to discuss trade.
- The deadline for potential new U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports is August 19.
A Canadian government source indicated that the United States is also keen on reaching a trade agreement before the August 19 deadline, at which point President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian imports.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that negotiations are progressing well and that the U.S. shares the goal of securing a deal before the deadline.
Canadian Minister Dominic LeBlanc, responsible for U.S. trade relations, is scheduled to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for the second time this week. Canada's chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, will also attend the meeting, which is part of frequent talks aimed at averting the tariffs.
According to the U.S. Trade Representative's office, the proposed tariffs would impact nearly $20 billion of imports from Canada. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe expressed encouragement over the recent talks but emphasized the importance of focusing on renewing the USMCA agreement.