Canada-US Trade Talks Gain Momentum Ahead of Aug. 19 Tariff Deadline

Canada-US trade negotiations are making positive progress as both countries push to reach an agreement before new U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports are scheduled to take effect on Aug. 19, according to a Canadian government source familiar with the discussions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to introduce 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, including some products that would otherwise qualify for exemptions under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The Canadian government source, who requested anonymity, said negotiations appeared to be progressing well and that Washington also wanted to secure a deal before the tariff deadline. The source described signs from the U.S. side as encouraging, emphasizing that reaching an agreement before Aug. 19 is a shared objective.

Canadian Minister responsible for U.S. trade relations Dominic LeBlanc is scheduled to meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday for their second meeting this week. Canada's chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, will also participate.

The talks will mark LeBlanc's fourth meeting with Greer in three weeks, highlighting the intensified diplomatic effort to prevent another escalation in Canada-US trade tensions.

Charette and senior officials from Canada's foreign affairs, finance and agriculture ministries have also been holding regular discussions with their U.S. counterparts. Canadian officials described the negotiations as collaborative but cautioned that broader Canada-US relations could be affected if the tariffs proceed.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the latest developments were encouraging while stressing that renewing the USMCA should remain Canada's broader priority.

The proposed U.S. tariffs could affect nearly $20 billion worth of Canadian imports, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. That represents approximately 5.2% of the $383 billion in goods the United States imported from Canada in 2025, based on U.S. Census Bureau data.

With the Aug. 19 deadline approaching, both governments are under growing pressure to secure a Canada-US trade agreement that prevents new tariffs and preserves stability in one of the world's largest bilateral trading relationships.