Latest news with #Canada-U.S.-MexicoAgreement
3 hours ago
- Business
Canada's trade team downplays chances of deal with Trump by Aug. 1
With the clock ticking on U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to boost tariffs on some Canadian exports to 35 per cent starting Aug. 1, Canada's top trade negotiators are downplaying the likelihood of reaching a deal by that deadline. Dominic LeBlanc, minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, and Canada's ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, wrapped up two days of meetings with Republican senators. These included a brief sit-down between LeBlanc and Howard Lutnick, the U.S. secretary of commerce and Trump's point man on tariffs. We've made progress, but we have a lot of work in front of us, LeBlanc told reporters outside a Senate office building on Thursday. LeBlanc said he had a productive, cordial discussion with Lutnick and plans to return to Washington next week. He also added some caveats about the path to reaching a deal. We're going to continue to work toward the Aug. 1 deadline,' he said. But all of these deadlines are with the understanding that we'll take the time necessary to get the best deal that we think is in the interest of the Canadian economy and Canadian workers." Hillman, who was appointed Canada's chief negotiator with the U.S., also suggested an agreement with the Trump administration is not imminent. WATCH | Dominic LeBlanc speaks after meeting Trump's point man on tariffs: It's important for us to recognize that there is a time when the deal is the right deal, and it's important for us to be in a position to continue negotiating until we get to that point, she said. Their comments are the latest evidence that Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is not in a rush to sign a deal with the U.S. Carney said Tuesday that his objective is "not to reach a deal whatever it costs (new window) ." Following Carney's meeting with Canada's premiers earlier this week, Nova Scotia's Tim Houston said the prime minister isn't dead set on signing a deal by the deadline. Other countries reach tariff deals with Trump This comes amid Trump's announcements this week of framework agreements on tariffs struck with Japan (new window) and Indonesia, and reports the U.S. is closing in on a deal with the European Union. Canada may be less panicked than other trading partners about the Aug. 1 deadline because only a small portion of Canada's exports to the U.S. would be affected by Trump's threat of 35 per cent tariffs. That's because most goods enter the U.S. tariff-free (new window) under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA. Officials say LeBlanc and Hillman met with five Republican senators in Washington: Kevin Cramer (North Dakota), Roger Marshall (Kansas), Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia), Tim Scott (South Carolina) and Todd Young (Indiana). Another Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, told reporters in Washington on Thursday that the U.S. shares a lot of security and economic interests with Canada and shouldn't treat it as just another country when it comes to tariffs. "I wish that I could say it feels good, that this is all going to be taken care of before the first of August, but I'm not sensing that," said Murkowski, who visited Ottawa on Monday (new window) to meet Carney and some of his cabinet ministers. Mike Crawley (new window) · CBC News · Senior reporter Mike Crawley has covered Ontario politics for CBC News since 2009. He began his career as a newspaper reporter in B.C., spent six years as a freelance journalist in various parts of Africa, then joined the CBC in 2005. Mike was born and raised in Saint John, N.B. Follow Mike Crawley on Twitter (new window)
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LeBlanc 'encouraged' after meeting with Lutnick, lawmakers ahead of tariff deadline
WASHINGTON — Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he's feeling "encouraged" after meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and American lawmakers in Washington, D.C., ahead of next week's tariff deadline. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap Canada with 35 per cent tariffs if there's not a deal by Aug. 1 but the White House has said it would not include goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade. Canada is also being hit with Trump's tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles, and will be impacted by copper tariffs that are also expected to kick in on Aug. 1. LeBlanc says Ottawa will take the time necessary to get the best deal in the interest of Canadians, indicating a new economic and security arrangement may not materialize by Trump's deadline. LeBlanc says he will return to Washington next week for additional meetings. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she's hopeful for a return to normal relations with Canada but doesn't sense there will be a deal before Trump's deadline. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Toronto Star
5 hours ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
LeBlanc ‘encouraged' after meeting with Lutnick, lawmakers ahead of tariff deadline
WASHINGTON - Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he's feeling 'encouraged' after meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and American lawmakers in Washington, D.C., ahead of next week's tariff deadline. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap Canada with 35 per cent tariffs if there's not a deal by Aug. 1 but the White House has said it would not include goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
LeBlanc ‘encouraged' after meeting with Lutnick, lawmakers ahead of tariff deadline
WASHINGTON – Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he's feeling 'encouraged' after meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and American lawmakers in Washington, D.C., ahead of next week's tariff deadline. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap Canada with 35 per cent tariffs if there's not a deal by Aug. 1 but the White House has said it would not include goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade. Canada is also being hit with Trump's tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles, and will be impacted by copper tariffs that are also expected to kick in on Aug. 1. LeBlanc says Ottawa will take the time necessary to get the best deal in the interest of Canadians, indicating a new economic and security arrangement may not materialize by Trump's deadline. LeBlanc says he will return to Washington next week for additional meetings. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she's hopeful for a return to normal relations with Canada but doesn't sense there will be a deal before Trump's deadline. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
5 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
LeBlanc ‘encouraged' after meeting with Lutnick, lawmakers ahead of tariff deadline
WASHINGTON - Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he's feeling 'encouraged' after meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and American lawmakers in Washington, D.C., ahead of next week's tariff deadline. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap Canada with 35 per cent tariffs if there's not a deal by Aug. 1 but the White House has said it would not include goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade. Canada is also being hit with Trump's tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles, and will be impacted by copper tariffs that are also expected to kick in on Aug. 1. LeBlanc says Ottawa will take the time necessary to get the best deal in the interest of Canadians, indicating a new economic and security arrangement may not materialize by Trump's deadline. LeBlanc says he will return to Washington next week for additional meetings. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she's hopeful for a return to normal relations with Canada but doesn't sense there will be a deal before Trump's deadline. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025.
