Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he’s feeling “encouraged” after meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and American lawmakers in Washington, D.C., ahead of next week’s tariff deadline.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap Canada with 35 per cent tariffs if there’s not a deal by Aug. 1 but the White House has said it would not include goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.
Canada is also being hit with Trump’s tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles, and will be impacted by copper tariffs that are also expected to kick in on Aug. 1.
LeBlanc says Ottawa will take the time necessary to get the best deal in the interest of Canadians, indicating a new economic and security arrangement may not materialize by Trump’s deadline.
LeBlanc says he will return to Washington next week for additional meetings.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she’s hopeful for a return to normal relations with Canada but doesn’t sense there will be a deal before Trump’s deadline.
