Canadians, besides American negotiators, have been exchanging a number of offers in recent weeks.
As the clock ticks towards U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff deadline, Canada, as well as the U.S., isn’t yet at a point where a tariff deal can be reached. The Canadian officials aren’t satisfied with the latest U.S. offer. This is according to two sources with knowledge of the trade talks.
According to sources on both sides of the border, Americans offered a new proposal on Tuesday, 11 August. The proposal may lower some of the sectoral tariffs, although not to the degree that the Canadian side may like to witness. CBC News is not naming the sources as they were not authorised to speak publicly.
Negotiators have been actively negotiating recently to reach a trade deal before Wednesday, 19 August. That’s the deadline where Trump has promised a 50% levy on hundreds of Canadian goods in addition to the sectoral tariffs already in place.
Sources said that the Americans are seeking a deal that may see preferential access to Canadian critical minerals besides covering security and energy.
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has been in Washington to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on 3 occasions in as many weeks. CBC News previously reported that the two are aiming to present Trump with a path to a potential trade deal as early as Monday, 17 August.
Sources told CBC News last week that the Canadian side has aggressively argued with the Americans that Canadians might lack the political appetite to sustain talks if the 19 August tariffs come into place.
The sources added that both sides have agreed to hold daily meetings at various levels up until that deadline.
Neither LeBlanc nor Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, answered reporters’ questions after they were seen leaving Greer’s office on Tuesday afternoon, 11 August.
