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U.S.-Canada trade relations are back in focus as senior officials from both countries prepare for formal talks in Washington in the coming weeks. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that he recently spoke with Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and expects to meet him in person “in a couple weeks” to discuss a potential trade agreement.
According to statements from both sides, the discussions remain informal but constructive. Ottawa signaled that multiple brief exchanges have taken place recently, with both parties exploring ideas that could shape a revised trade framework. Greer emphasized that the Trump administration is open to Canada’s proposals, stating that U.S. officials are willing to engage in meaningful negotiations.
The renewed dialogue comes amid heightened U.S.-Canada trade tensions. The Trump administration is currently reviewing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trade pact enacted during Trump’s first term. Washington faces a July 1 deadline to inform Congress whether it intends to amend the agreement. President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of exiting the USMCA in favor of separate bilateral trade deals with Canada and Mexico.
A key priority for the U.S. is reshoring manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector and other critical supply chains. Greer expressed concern that production shifts under the current USMCA framework are not progressing quickly enough. He also warned about the risk of Chinese goods entering the U.S. market through Canada to avoid tariffs, as Beijing and Ottawa strengthen economic ties.
Potential solutions discussed include higher tariffs combined with expanded access to Canadian markets, particularly in sectors such as dairy. Another option involves adding country-specific protocols to the existing USMCA to address gaps without abandoning the broader agreement.
As trade negotiations continue, both governments appear committed to reviewing and potentially reshaping North American trade policy while balancing economic security and market access.
