Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's minister of trade, will sit down with Jamieson Greer, the United States' top trade negotiator, on Thursday in Washington. The meeting comes with less than seven days before President Donald Trump threatens to impose 50 % duties on a broad swathe of Canadian imports.
Negotiations in Washington
LeBlanc will be joined by chief negotiator Janice Charette, according to a statement from the minister's office. Both sides say they remain at the table to protect Canadian interests, but the United States has signalled it will not accept a deal that leaves sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminium, autos and softwood lumber untouched.
Trump's latest tariff push is anchored in three executive orders. One targets provincial bans on American alcohol, another responds to Canada's retaliatory duties on U.S. vehicles and parts, and a third challenges Canada's dairy supply‑management quotas. If the orders are acted on, the 50 % levy could take effect on 19 August.
Potential fallout for Canadian firms
Analysts warn that a breakdown in the Canada‑U.S.‑Mexico trade pact could cost more than 100 000 Canadian jobs, with a comparable impact in the United States. The Canadian‑American Business Council estimates that a successful renegotiation of the USMCA (known in Canada as CUSMA) would create roughly 98 000 jobs in Canada by 2027.
A recent survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found that 40 % of exporters currently ship products that would fall under the new tariffs. Of those, 77 % expect revenue losses and 35 % fear a cut of at least half of their sales.
Small‑business data from Merchant Growth show that 60 % of respondents rely on the U.S. market, with 13 % describing it as core to their operations. In anticipation of the tariffs, 55 % have reduced spending, 25 % have delayed hiring and another quarter have raised consumer prices.
Both governments aim to present a revised agreement to President Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney before the 19 August deadline, though the path forward remains uncertain.
Based on reporting by Global News.