Canada Warns US Tariffs Could Halt Trade Negotiations

Canada’s chief trade negotiator for the US, Janice Charette, warned her American counterpart that the imposition of additional tariffs could halt bilateral trade negotiations, according to a CTV News report citing multiple sources.

Charette did not issue an ultimatum to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, but Greer understood the potential consequences of further tariff implementation, according to the report published on Wednesday (12/8).

Earlier on Tuesday (11/8), Canada-US Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Charette, and Greer met in Washington.

The two countries are reportedly drafting a trade agreement to present to US President Donald Trump next week, according to a CBC News report.

On 20 July, Trump signed three proclamations to impose an additional 50 percent tariff on a range of Canadian products in response to Ottawa’s alleged “discriminatory treatment” of US-made goods. The new tariffs are set to take effect on 19 August.

Following the threat, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated his agreement with Trump to intensify negotiations towards a trade deal.

The prime minister had previously stressed that Ottawa has various options to respond if the tariffs are indeed imposed by the US.