As the deadline for U. S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff decision approaches, Canada and the U. S. haven’t reached a point where a tariff agreement can be finalized – and Canadian officials are unhappy with the most recent offer from the U. S., according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
Sources from both countries indicate that the Americans made a new proposal on Tuesday which would reduce some sector-specific tariffs, but not enough to satisfy what Canada was hoping for. is not disclosing their names as they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Negotiators have been exchanging proposals over recent weeks in hopes of arriving at an agreement before August 19, when Trump has threatened a 50 percent tax on numerous Canadian products, in addition to existing sectoral tariffs.
The U. S. is looking for a deal that ensures preferential access to Canadian critical minerals along with covering security and energy issues, according to the sources.
Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic Le Blanc has traveled to Washington three times within three weeks for talks with U. S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. previously reported that they aim to provide Trump with options for a possible trade deal as early as Monday.
Last week, sources informed that Canada’s team has strongly conveyed that there would be little political support among Canadians if tariffs take effect on August 19.
The two sides have agreed to hold daily meetings at various levels leading up to that deadline, according to the sources.
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has learned that Canada-U. S. Trade Minister Dominic Le Blanc and U. S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are developing a proposal aimed at presenting it to President Donald Trump before a tariff deadline that could impose a 50 percent levy on hundreds of Canadian goods.
Neither Le Blanc nor Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, addressed reporters’ inquiries after they left Greer’s office on Tuesday afternoon.
Le Blanc later tweeted about ongoing discussions and mentioned he and Charette will “continue to engage at the negotiation table.”
Le Blanc’s office informed that both he and Charette remain in Washington as of Wednesday night.
Apart from trying to prevent new tariffs from being imposed, Le Blanc and Charette are also seeking relief regarding existing tariffs placed by the U. S. on Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles.
Canada also hopes these ongoing trade discussions will lead to renewing the Canada-U. S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) after last month when the Trump administration chose not to extend it beyond 2036.
When announcing tariffs scheduled for August 19, several trade issues were raised by the U. S., including Canada’s reaction against American trade policies by removing U. S. alcohol from provincial store shelves and claims of discrimination against American vehicles and dairy products in Canada.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote to Carney on Sunday urging him to show some “backbone” as negotiations ramp up.
Poiilievre emphasized that Canadians deserve a “good deal” featuring zero tariffs on softwood lumber, an end to sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum products, no tariff auto agreements, and full exemptions from Buy America rules related to infrastructure projects across all government levels.
“No more pursuing policies of a managed decline at home. No more caving,” Poilievre wrote.
Sources from various industries have previously indicated that Canada is readying itself for some concessions – including lifting alcohol restrictions – in return for relief from existing tariffs.
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