Ottawa mounts full-court press for U.S. trade deal ahead of tariff deadline
Canadian trade officials are urgently negotiating with the U.S. to prevent the imposition of 50-percent tariffs on Canadian goods scheduled for August 19. Ottawa has warned that such tariffs would force a retaliatory response and damage trade relations.
Why it matters
The potential for a trade war between the U.S. and Canada poses significant risks to the North American economy and supply chain stability.
Janice Charette, Canada's chief trade negotiator to the United States, departs a meeting in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday alongside Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. relations. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Canada’s top trade negotiator has warned her American counterparts that if the White House imposes new tariffs on Aug. 19, the move would represent a “cliff” that risks halting negotiations with the U.S.
According to five sources briefed on the discussions, Janice Charette delivered the message in a meeting last week with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Four of the sources said Ms. Charette cautioned the Americans on the public mood in Canada should President Donald Trump make good on his threat to impose the new tariffs.
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