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Canada and U.S. aim to pitch Trump a trade path before Aug. 19 50% tariffs
Developing
What we know
Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington on Tuesday for about an hour—their third face-to-face meeting in three weeks—alongside chief negotiator Janice Charette, as Ottawa raced to head off Trump’s threatened Aug. 19 50% tariffs on a slice of Canadian goods.
CBC reported sources said both sides hoped to present President Donald Trump a joint path to a potential deal as early as Monday, giving him room to decide before the deadline. LeBlanc said talks were “ongoing” and that he and Charette would stay at the table; Canada is also seeking relief on steel, aluminum, lumber, and auto sectoral duties and a path to extend CUSMA after Washington declined renewal in July. LeBlanc’s Monday flight had been diverted back to Montreal by weather before Tuesday’s session.
What's confirmed
- CBC (Aug. 11): LeBlanc–Greer hour-long Tuesday meeting; aim to pitch Trump a path before Aug. 19; Charette already in Washington Monday.
- Reuters: LeBlanc met Greer Tuesday; third meeting in as many weeks; Aug. 19 tariff threat intact.
- LeBlanc public note: discussions ongoing; continue engaging at the negotiation table.
What's still developing
- Whether a joint proposal reaches Trump by early next week.
- Provincial alcohol-shelf and dairy/auto irritants vs. sectoral tariff relief numbers.