Canada and U.S. step up trade talks in Washington

CanadaU.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has returned to Washington for another round of meetings as a new U.S. tariff deadline approaches later this month. A senior government official said LeBlanc is expected to speak with U.S. senators and industry leaders, and may also meet again with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. He is also set to brief members of Canada’s negotiating team, including chief trade negotiator Janice Charette. The talks come ahead of an Aug. 19 deadline, when the U.S. plans to impose 50 per cent tariffs on about 5 per cent of Canadian exports, including goods such as alcohol, hockey sticks and cement. Canada is seeking relief from those measures as well as broader sectoral tariffs affecting steel, aluminum, lumber and autos, while both sides continue discussions over wider trade issues.