U. S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated that not much progress has been made in discussions between Canada and the U. S., just weeks after the American administration opted not to extend the Canada-U. S.-Mexico Agreement.
Greer mentioned, “we just haven’t seen a lot of movement” in trade negotiations with Canada, while speaking at a security forum in Aspen, Colo., on Wednesday.
He also recognized that Canada had rolled back two significant trade issues – the digital services tax and a separate tax increase on online streaming services – but added an important note.
“I’m glad they did that but they don’t really get credit for doing something bad and then undoing it,” Greer said.
WATCH | U. S. trade rep on Canada’s concessions:
‘We haven’t seen a lot of movement’ in CUSMA talks with Canada, says U. S. trade rep
Discussing the current state of trade negotiations with Canada, United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the U. S. hasn’t ‘seen a lot of movement.’ He emphasized that Canada doesn’t ‘get credit for doing something bad then undoing it,’ referring to Canada’s reversal of the digital services tax and Online Streaming Act taxes.
On July 1, U. S. President Donald Trump’s administration chose not to extend CUSMA, initiating a negotiation period aimed at amending the agreement before it expires in 2036.
“I’m in contact with my [Canadian] counterparts on a weekly basis,” Greer shared. “Over the past year, like with other countries, I’ve given lots of proposals to the Canadians on things that could be done immediately that could put us in a better position.”
When asked for a response to Greer’s comments, Canada-U. S. Trade Minister Dominic Le Blanc’s spokesperson told in a statement that “Canada is ready to do the work on an expedited basis to get to a successful renewal of the CUSMA and provide certainty and predictability to our workers and businesses.”
The spokesperson mentioned “Canada has put forward proposals that are fair, balanced and good for the broader North American economy” and expressed eagerness for further discussions.
WATCH | Le Blanc says Canada addressed a number of U. S. trade concerns:
U. S. trade concerns addressed by Canada ‘in the double digits,’ Le Blanc says
Canada-U. S. Trade Minister Dominic Le Blanc noted he and U. S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer talked about several trade issues during their meeting last week. ‘I had a sense that Ambassador Greer and his colleagues saw the progress that they have been looking for,’ Le Blanc said.
What did Canada concede?
Ottawa cancelled its digital services tax in June 2025, which would have required tech giants like Amazon, Google, Meta, Uber and Airbnb to pay three percent on revenues from Canadian users.
The weekend before U. S. companies were expected to face costs around $2 billion US, Trump warned he would end all trade talks with Canada if the tax wasn’t removed.
The federal government later announced it was revoking the tax “in anticipation of a mutually beneficial comprehensive trade arrangement with the United States.”
Last month, Ottawa asked the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to reconsider its decision regarding tripling streamers’ financial contributions towards Canadian content under the government’s Online Streaming Act.
WATCH | Carney on CRTC’s hike to ‘Netflix tax’:
Carney calls for CRTC to revise Cancon tax that he says would raise costs for Canadians
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Ottawa’s request for CRTC review aims at supporting affordability for Canadians. ‘This is not the time to raise costs for Canadians,’ Carney remarked.
The CRTC initially established base contributions from large online streaming providers like Disney+, Netflix and Prime Video at five percent of company revenue but decided instead in May to increase this fee to fifteen percent.
Greer identified The Online Streaming Act as another area causing friction in tradespace saying Wednesday that Canada “wanted American streaming companies to fund Canadian companies.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney suggested that this decision by CRTC was related directly toward affordability concerning potential subscription increases linked with what became known as “Netflix tax.”
A Breakthrough Needed?
Lately both American and Canadian officials hinted if there’s going be any significant advancement regarding bilateral trading discussions; it’s likely happen at top levels.
“The reality is if President Trump and Prime Minister Carney come together over understanding then I’m sure we can craft something sensible enough that’ll help us overcome hurdles,” Greer explained.
Durng his end-of-session news conference last month; Carney agreed any possible breakthrough needs engagement between him along side Trump.
“We could sign off quick deal now or even signed bad one last year,” Carney stated bluntly adding “but we’re not aiming settling.”
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