LeBlanc to meet Greer, Lutnick as clock ticks toward new U.S. tariffs

Canada’s top trade negotiators are set to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick today, about 36 hours before the latest round of tariffs is set to take effect.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Janice Charette, the chief trade negotiator, have been in Washington since last week and are hoping for a deal that would halt the tariffs. 

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose 50 per cent levies on a range of Canadian goods as of midnight Wednesday. 

These tariffs are in response to Canada’s provincial bans on American alcohol, the supply-managed dairy system and quotas on some U.S. vehicles.

They’re targeted at specific industries, including exports of honey, hockey sticks, cement and wine.

Canadian officials who were briefed by LeBlanc after his meeting with Greer on Friday said it appeared the two sides were not close to a deal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2026.

By Sarah Ritchie | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.