Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, senior trade officials from the United States and Canada gathered for a second consecutive day of negotiations aimed at finalizing a bilateral trade agreement that would reduce longstanding tariff barriers. The meeting, held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, featured U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Canada’s minister responsible for trade with the United States, Dominic LeBlanc, who arrived at 12:15 p.m. EDT. Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, also participated in the talks.
Progress toward a tariff reduction
Both sides reported significant progress since their Wednesday session, which focused on averting a looming U.S. threat to impose additional tariffs on Canadian goods beginning Saturday. A source familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that the United States is prepared to lower the top‑line tariff on Canadian‑built cars and trucks from 25% to 15%, and to halve the duties on Canadian steel and aluminum to 25%.
Political backdrop
The negotiations occur against a backdrop of heightened trade tensions that began when former President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and vehicles last year. In response, Ottawa introduced counter‑measures, and the two nations have been locked in a dispute ever since. President Trump indicated on Wednesday that Washington would make further tariff concessions, and suggested that a completed deal could also eliminate Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods.
High‑level diplomatic engagement
Later Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand at the White House, underscoring the broader diplomatic importance of the trade talks. Prime Minister Mark Carney briefed provincial premiers after LeBlanc’s meeting with Greer, urging them to consider ending a ban on U.S. alcohol imports if a deal is reached, a point that has been a particular irritant for Washington.
Potential impact
If the agreement is finalized before the deadline, it could provide relief to manufacturers and consumers on both sides of the border. Lower vehicle tariffs would benefit the automotive sector, while reduced steel and aluminum duties could lower costs for construction and manufacturing industries. The deal would also signal a return to a more cooperative trade relationship after a year of retaliatory measures.
Next steps
Both parties indicated that finalizing the agreement will require the completion of detailed documents, a process that could extend into the coming weeks. Until the paperwork is signed, the threat of a new 50% tariff on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods remains on hold, pending further progress.
The outcome of these talks will be closely watched by businesses, policymakers and consumers in both countries, as the United States and Canada remain deeply integrated trading partners.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
