Canada, US Signal Progress in Trade Talks Ahead of Aug 19 Tariff Deadline

A Canadian government source familiar with ongoing trade negotiations said on Thursday that talks with the United States are progressing well, adding that Washington also appears eager to reach a deal before a new tariff deadline on August 19.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said both sides are seeing positive signs. "They also want to come to an agreement before the deadline of August 19th. This is also their goal. It's not just for us," the source said.

The urgency stems from President Donald Trump's announcement of new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian imports, set to take effect on August 19. These tariffs would apply to goods that would otherwise qualify for exemption under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Canadian Minister for US Trade Relations Dominic LeBlanc is scheduled to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for the second time this week on Thursday. This will be their fourth meeting in three weeks, according to LeBlanc's office. Canada's chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, will also attend.

Charette, along with a team of four or five senior officials from Canada's foreign affairs, finance, and agriculture ministries, has been engaging with US counterparts on a daily basis. "We're working quite collaboratively to come up with something, so we'll see," the source added.

The source also cautioned that the broader relationship is at stake. "Everything is on the table, including our relationship with the U.S."

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe called the latest talks encouraging but stressed the importance of keeping the long-term goal of renewing the USMCA as the central focus.

The US Trade Representative's office has said the new tariffs, if imposed, would cover nearly $20 billion of imports from Canada—about 5.2% of the $383 billion in goods the US imported from Canada in 2025, according to US Census Bureau data.