Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc will travel to Washington this week alongside Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, as Ottawa works to respond to President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats.
LeBlanc’s office confirmed the visit but did not disclose the exact dates or which U.S. officials the Canadian delegation will meet.
The trip comes after the Trump administration announced plans to impose 50 per cent tariffs on certain Canadian goods beginning next month. The proposed measures are tied to provincial bans on U.S. alcohol, Canada’s dairy supply management system and specific automobile quotas.
The new tariffs are intended to increase pressure on Canada as negotiations over the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) continue.
While the United States and Mexico have already begun formal CUSMA negotiations, Canada has yet to enter official talks with Washington. The upcoming meetings are expected to focus on trade disputes and efforts to ease tensions before the proposed tariffs take effect.
