- Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met on Sunday, days ahead of the latest tariff threat from the American president.
- The one-hour virtual meeting, which also involved Charette, was described as constructive by a spokesperson for LeBlanc.
- The spokesperson said the negotiators took stock of the work done by their teams and that discussions are continuing.
- LeBlanc's office said Sunday’s meeting came after days of detailed technical discussions between Charette and her counterpart.
- The meeting took place virtually because Sunday was Greer’s birthday, and it marked the fifth meeting between the two since Trump’s tariff threat.
- Before the meeting, LeBlanc’s spokesperson Gabriel Brunet said the meeting would take stock of the work accomplished and the work ahead to reach a comprehensive deal for both sides.
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a virtual meeting on Sunday, marking their fifth discussion since President Donald Trump threatened tariffs. The meeting was described as 'constructive' by LeBlanc's office, which noted ongoing discussions between their negotiating teams.12
The urgency of the talks stems from Trump's executive order imposing 50% tariffs on a range of goods, including cement and hockey sticks, set to take effect on August 19. This move is seen as a response to Canadian policies affecting U.S. liquor imports, dairy quotas, and vehicle regulations.
Gabriel Brunet, a spokesperson for LeBlanc, emphasized the meeting's goal: 'to take stock of the work that has been accomplished by their respective negotiating teams' and to address the challenges ahead in reaching a comprehensive trade deal.7
Greer reiterated the need for Canada to lift its retaliatory measures to avoid the impending tariffs, highlighting long-standing trade issues between the two countries. The discussions are critical as both nations seek to protect their businesses, workers, and families amid escalating trade tensions.
“The one-hour virtual meeting, held because Sunday was Greer's birthday, marked the fifth between the two since Trump's tariff threat. LeBlanc's office said it followed days of detailed technical discussions between Charette and her counterpart.”
