US Sees No Urgency in Canada Trade Talks as Tariffs and Import Bans Loom
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says Washington feels no urgency to settle its trade dispute with Canada, even as new import bans and threatened 50% tariffs deepen the rift.
Washington is in no hurry to resolve its trade dispute with Canada, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated on Friday, even as fresh US import bans on Canadian goods are set to take effect next week and steep tariffs on Canadian autos, parts and steel are threatened from January.
Speaking to CNBC, Greer said the two countries continue to exchange significant volumes of goods, including oil, gas, potash and agricultural products, and that this ongoing trade leaves the administration at ease with the current state of relations.
"We're comfortable with where we are," Greer said, adding that Canadian officials reach out periodically and that the conversations about possible deals remain constructive. "But it's not – there's no urgency on our side, I would say."
The Canadian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The dispute has deepened in recent weeks. The upcoming US import bans cover a broad range of Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages, motorcycles and dairy products. The threatened January increase, which would raise tariffs to 50% on Canadian autos, parts and steel, could carry significant consequences for North American auto production.
Canada's own retaliatory tariffs on US goods took effect earlier this month. They followed 50% US tariffs imposed last month on some $20 billion of Canadian goods, after several rounds of negotiations collapsed.
Each side has blamed the other for the failure of the talks. The breakdown has widened a rift between the longtime allies, prompted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to urge a further shift away from Canada's largest trading partner, and raised fresh questions about the future of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Some experts believe the Trump administration may seek to conclude a deal with Mexico first, which could give Washington more leverage in securing a better agreement with Canada. Mexican officials said this week that the next round of talks with Mexico could take place in October.