Canada-U.S. According to Dominic LeBlanc’s office, he left Washington on Wednesday with the impression that progress had been made following a meeting with the United States. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
LeBlanc’s office said the minister spent around 90 minutes with Lutnick on Tuesday in a constructive meeting where they spoke about specific proposals and items that have been put on the table.
Negotiations about more technical aspects will now continue between Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative, and Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s chief negotiator. The progress this week came as a result of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement on August 22 that Canada would drop some retaliatory tariffs in an effort to intensify negotiations and lessen pressure from the United States. The responsibilities of President Donald Trump regarding important Canadian industries. LeBlanc has stated that Canada’s counter-tariffs were a significant point of contention with the Trump administration during negotiations of a new economic and security relationship. Canada imposed 25% tariffs on a long list of American goods, from oranges and alcohol to motorcycles, in response to Trump’s initial economywide duties in March. Trump has hit nearly every nation with devastating duties in his effort to realign global trade, but Canada and China have been the only countries to retaliate with tariffs so far. The White House cited the flow of fentanyl and Canada’s retaliatory tariffs as justification for Trump’s increase in tariffs on Canada to 35% on August 1. Products covered by the trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico are exempt from these tariffs. On September 1, Ottawa’s decision to follow the CUSMA exemptions will take effect. 1. The automobile, steel, and aluminum countertariffs imposed by Canada will continue. The tariffs on automobiles generally align with the United States but Canada’s counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum remain at 25 per cent, despite the U.S. raising its rate to 50 per cent in June.
According to Carney, Ottawa’s primary goal is to see Trump relax his tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, copper, and lumber. Carney stated, “in order to do that… we will have to look at other areas where we can have win-win co-operation,” in a Tuesday speech in Latvia. LeBlanc has stated that he is discussing with Americans “a package of stuff,” which may include security and defense investment opportunities.
LeBlanc says progress was made in U.S. trade talks as he leaves D.C.
