LeBlanc, Charette to meet with U.S. trade rep with hours to go on tariff deadline


U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods is set to take effect just after midnight, unless officials are able to finalize a trade agreement. 

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Canada’s chief negotiator Janice Charette are set to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington this morning as the clock ticks down on the latest tariff deadline.

LeBlanc’s office says the pair is set to meet with Greer at 10:30 a.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods is set to take effect just after midnight, unless officials are able to finalize a trade agreement.

In July, Trump said he would impose a new 50 per cent tariff on a wide range of Canadians goods in retaliation for Canada’s booze bans, auto tariffs and quotas on tariff-free access for U.S. dairy.

They were set to come into effect just after midnight Wednesday, but that deadline was pushed back until Saturday to allow time to turn the agreed-upon deal into a legal agreement.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Canada’s chief negotiator Janice Charette have met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington several times this month to hammer out the deal.

LeBlanc told reporters on Thursday that the two sides were “very close” to a deal. The content of that agreement, however, has not been shared publicly.

The agreement is expected to address U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, lumber and autos. It’s also expect to address some U.S. concerns about limited access to Canada’s dairy market, as well as Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on autos and provincial bans on U.S. alcohol imports.

“Canadians expect us to get a deal that’s in the economic interest of Canada and Canadian workers,” LeBlanc said as he left Greer’s office Thursday.

Canada’s premiers have said that in a briefing from Prime Minister Mark Carney, the prime minister asked them to put U.S. booze back on the shelves as part of the deal. Many said Thursday they were open to ending their provincial bans.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has yet to comment publicly on the latest proposal, while Quebec Premier Christine Frechette said Thursday after a call with Carney that she’s weighing how the deal could play out for her province.

Unlike other tariffs, the duties that are on pause would affect goods that are compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.

The tariffs would be placed on a wide variety of goods from hockey sticks and honey to concrete and plywood.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 21, 2026. 



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Building Canada Strong means leaving no one behind

    Renewing Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan in 2027 is an opportunity to turn those values into meaningful action. Building Canada Strong must mean building a country where every Canadian can thrive. …

    Continue reading
    Ottawa reverses course, funds Ring of Fire roads after years of Ontario pressure

    Matching Ontario’s $1 billion, the federal government will help fund infrastructure to reach the promising northern mining area. The federal government is matching Ontario’s $1 billion investment into roads to…

    Continue reading

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    The next Mass Effect would have had ‘a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to match’, according to BioWare veteran

    The next Mass Effect would have had ‘a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to match’, according to BioWare veteran

    As Kansas Senate race tightens, Marshall argues opponent is just another Democrat, while Hamilton says he’s “independent-minded”

    As Kansas Senate race tightens, Marshall argues opponent is just another Democrat, while Hamilton says he’s “independent-minded”

    Do mass shootings in universities lead to permanent effects?

    Do mass shootings in universities lead to permanent effects?

    It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a robo-puffin?

    It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a robo-puffin?

    Asa Tribe: Glamorgan batter aims to boost Jersey World Cup bid

    Asa Tribe: Glamorgan batter aims to boost Jersey World Cup bid

    Tommy Bahama x Ray’s Hometown Bar: Limited-Edition Capsule Launching in Miami

    Tommy Bahama x Ray’s Hometown Bar: Limited-Edition Capsule Launching in Miami