Canada-U.S. trade minister back in Washington as countries 'intensify' trade talks

Senior government official says LeBlanc will meet with U.S. senators, industry leaders

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is back in Washington, D.C., for another slate of meetings as the latest U.S. tariff threat is just over two weeks away.

A senior government official speaking on background said LeBlanc flew in Tuesday morning and is expected to meet with American senators and key U.S. industry leaders.

It was unclear whether he'll meet again with his counterpart, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The two met last week in Washington for discussions that LeBlanc called "comprehensive."

LeBlanc is also expected to meet and debrief in D.C. with Canada's negotiating team, including chief trade negotiator Janice Charette.

The flurry of activity comes ahead of an Aug. 19 deadline, at which point the U.S. plans to put 50 per cent tariffs on about five per cent of Canadian exports to the country. The targeted goods range from alcohol to hockey sticks to cement.

Greer told CBC News the tariffs were "very tailored" in response to Canadian trade actions that affect the U.S. alcohol, dairy and auto sectors. 

In response, last month, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he'd spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump and the two leaders agreed to ramp up trade discussions.

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"I spoke with President Trump earlier this morning. We agreed to intensify negotiations in the coming weeks and the team and myself look forward to doing that," Carney said on July 21.

He has also not ruled out retaliation if the additional tariffs are levied, but last week said he doesn't see the "value" in using Canadian energy exports as a bargaining chip in negotiations.

In addition to trying to dissuade Americans from levying new tariffs, the Canadian government is looking for relief on sectoral tariffs targeting the steel, aluminum, lumber and auto sectors, as well as moving toward a renewed North American free trade agreement.

The U.S. has raised a number of irritants, including Canada's supply management sector, efforts to regulate big tech and retaliatory measures taken by Canada following the first rounds of tariffs, including the decision from eight provinces to remove U.S. alcohol from liquor stores.

Last week, two major unions wrote to Greer, calling on the administration to hold off on the 50 per cent levies. The international heads of the United Steelworkers and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers called for the opportunity to "find a better path forward."