Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and his American counterpart are working on a joint proposal to potentially present to U.S. President Donald Trump before a looming tariff deadline. The aim is to provide Trump with enough time to make a decision before new tariffs affecting numerous Canadian imports go into effect on August 19.

LeBlanc recently met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington for the third time in three weeks. Following the meeting, LeBlanc shared that discussions are ongoing, emphasizing the commitment to further negotiations.

In addition to averting new tariffs, the Canadian officials are seeking relief from existing sectoral tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles. They also hope to extend the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) following the Trump administration’s decision not to renew the deal in July.

The U.S. cited various trade issues, including Canadian actions against U.S. trade policies such as the removal of U.S. alcohol from provincial stores and alleged discrimination against U.S. motor vehicles and dairy products. The imposed tariffs are set to affect around five percent of Canadian exports, covering items like alcohol, hockey equipment, and cement.

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner emphasized the importance of Canada negotiating from a position of strength when dealing with the White House. She called for accountability from Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging him to fulfill his promises to Canadians in trade negotiations. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also pressed Carney to secure a favorable trade agreement, advocating for zero tariffs on softwood lumber, an end to sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum, a tariff-free auto pact, and exemptions to Buy America rules for infrastructure projects.

The efforts to present a trade proposal to Trump highlight the ongoing discussions between Canadian and U.S. officials to address key trade issues and secure a beneficial agreement for both nations.