LeBlanc ‘encouraged’ after latest U.S. talks as Trump tariff deadline looms
Global News
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc also suggested a new economic and security arrangement with the U.S. may not materialize in time for the Aug. 1 deadline.
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Thursday he’s feeling “encouraged” after meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and American lawmakers in Washington ahead of next week’s tariff deadline.
But LeBlanc also suggested that a new economic and security arrangement with the United States may not materialize in time for U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest deadline of Aug. 1.
“Canadians expect us to take the time necessary to get the best deal we can in the interest of Canadian workers,” LeBlanc said outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington.
“So we are only going to be in a position to accept a deal when the prime minister decides that it is the best deal we can get in the interest of Canadian workers and the Canadian economy.”
Trump has sent letters to multiple nations, including Canada, saying that if no deal is made by Aug. 1, he will impose high tariffs on imports to the United States.
While Trump’s letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney threatened Canada with 35 per cent tariffs, the White House has said the levies will not be applied to imports that comply 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 affected by copper duties that are also expected to kick in on Aug. 1.
The Trump administration has announced only a handful of trade deal frameworks with other nations since the president first threatened his so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs in April. Trump this week said his administration made deals with Japan and the Philippines, adding to previous agreements with Indonesia, Vietnam and the United Kingdom.
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