Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, and the Honourable Janice Charette, Canada's Chief Trade Negotiator to the United States, met with provincial and territorial ministers responsible for Trade to discuss the latest developments in Canada-U.S. trade relations as trade discussions between the two countries intensify ahead of the August 19 deadline.
Minister LeBlanc and Mme Charette reiterated that Canada is engaging intensively with the United States to address outstanding trade issues to the mutual benefit of both countries, including securing relief from all existing sectoral tariffs and from the new Section 338 tariffs that the United States is planning to impose on August 19, as well as making progress toward a modernised CUSMA.
In closing, Minister LeBlanc and Mme Charette, who both took part in the meeting virtually from Washington, D.C., reiterated the Government of Canada's commitment to working closely with provinces and territories, in keeping with a Team Canada approach. They thanked provincial and territorial ministers for their continued collaboration in protecting Canada's economic interests and supporting Canadian workers, farmers, businesses and families.