Overview
- Canada’s trade minister Dominic LeBlanc and chief negotiator Janice Charette have been in Washington meeting U.S. officials and held a one‑hour virtual session with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Sunday as talks intensify.
- Officials described the recent meetings with Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as constructive but said major gaps remain, with provincial bans on U.S. alcohol and Canada’s dairy rules cited as central sticking points.
- The tariffs would take effect at 00:01 on Aug. 19 unless leaders sign a deal and would apply to roughly US$20 billion of goods, including wine, honey, furniture, cement, dairy items and some auto‑related products.
- Industry groups warn a 50% duty would sharply raise costs for exporters and could force small producers out of U.S. markets, while economists expect higher prices for some consumers and risks to jobs in affected sectors.
- Ottawa says Prime Minister Mark Carney expects to speak with President Trump before the deadline and Canada is drawing up contingency plans that include potential retaliation and expected legal challenges to the U.S. use of Section 338.