Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and his American counterpart are working towards presenting President Donald Trump with a potential trade agreement as early as Monday, as reported by CBC News. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that the goal is to deliver a joint proposal to Trump at least a day before his upcoming tariff deadline. This timeline would allow Trump ample time to make a final decision before imposing new 50% tariffs on numerous Canadian imports set for August 19.
The individuals providing this information have not been named by CBC News due to lack of authorization to speak publicly on the matter. LeBlanc recently engaged in discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, marking their third in-person meeting within three weeks. Following their meeting, neither LeBlanc nor Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, responded to reporters’ inquiries.
LeBlanc later confirmed ongoing discussions through a post on X, expressing his and Charette’s commitment to continued engagement at the negotiation table. While LeBlanc’s original travel plans to Washington on Monday were disrupted due to severe weather, Charette spent the entire day meeting with officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Apart from efforts to dissuade new American tariffs, LeBlanc and Charette are seeking relief from sectoral tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles. Additionally, Canada is hopeful that the ongoing trade discussions with the U.S. will lead to an extension of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) after the Trump administration declined to renew the deal in July.
The U.S. has highlighted various trade disputes, including Canada’s response to U.S. trade policies, such as the removal of U.S. alcohol from provincial stores and alleged discrimination against U.S. motor vehicles and dairy products. These disputes have led to a significant drop in wine and spirit exports to Canada in 2025, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The upcoming tariffs, affecting around five percent of Canadian exports to the U.S., will target a range of goods from alcohol to hockey equipment to cement. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner emphasized the importance of Canada securing a strong negotiating position with the White House. She also raised concerns about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s tenure, urging him to deliver on trade promises to Canadians.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre echoed these sentiments, calling on Carney to demonstrate resolve in trade negotiations and push for favorable terms, including zero tariffs on softwood lumber, an end to sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum, a tariff-free auto agreement, and exemptions to Buy America regulations on infrastructure projects. Poilievre emphasized the need for Canada to secure beneficial trade deals without compromising its interests.
