Prime Minister Mark Carney described the ongoing discussions with the U.S. to prevent new tariffs set to be enforced this week as “sensitive” and “vigorous.” He intends to engage with his American counterpart within the next 48 hours to establish a mutually acceptable agreement.
During a press briefing in St. John’s on Monday, where he revealed a significant hydroelectric deal with Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, Carney refrained from divulging specifics about the negotiations to avert U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened Section 338 tariffs on Canadian goods worth billions of dollars.
“We are currently engaged in delicate and intense discussions, and this is not the appropriate time for public negotiations,” Carney stated in French.
“We are entering these negotiations from a position of strength.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed the delicacy and intensity of last-minute tariff talks with the U.S. as he prepares to converse with President Donald Trump within the next 48 hours. The deadline for Trump’s proposed tariffs on various Canadian goods is August 19.
When questioned about potential responses if an agreement is not reached to avoid the new tariffs, Carney expressed readiness for any outcome.
“I have strategies in place for all possible scenarios,” Carney affirmed.
Audrey Champoux, a spokesperson for the prime minister, confirmed that Trump and Carney engaged in a phone discussion regarding the trade negotiations on Monday afternoon. However, Champoux did not disclose further details of the conversation.
Over the past three weeks, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and chief trade negotiator Janice Charette have engaged in a series of discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Their objective is not only to avoid the impending Section 338 tariffs but also to reduce the existing Section 232 tariffs on industrial products such as steel, aluminum, automobiles, and lumber in exchange for certain Canadian concessions.
On Monday afternoon, LeBlanc and Charette met with Greer and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for their most extended session yet, lasting approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
An insider familiar with the negotiations indicated that the ministerial-level meeting was anticipated to be the final one before the impending deadline. However, post-meeting, it remained uncertain if this assessment held true.
Another source with direct insight into the discussions mentioned the possibility of another meeting with Greer before Carney and Trump converse prior to the tariff deadline on Wednesday. Nonetheless, there is currently no scheduled follow-up meeting with Greer, as per the source.
The source informed CBC News that the U.S. negotiating team was expected to meet with Trump subsequent to their discussion with Canadian officials on Monday.
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