Carney dodges questions on U.S. trade talks but says he'll speak to Trump before tariff deadline

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney said he plans to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump, as Canada braces for a 50 per-cent tariff set to hit $29 billion worth of Canadian goods in less than two days.

During a press conference in St. John’s, N.L. on Monday, Carney would not say what a good deal for Canada would look like and described the negotiations with the Americans as very intense and delicate.

The prime minister added that it’s not the time to talk about negotiations in public.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief Trade Negotiator Janice Charette remained in Washington over the weekend, meeting with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for a fifth time on Sunday.

LeBlanc and Charette are scheduled to meet with Greer again on Monday, with U.S. Secretary Howard Lutnick also in attendance.

Sources told the National Post on Friday that the U.S. and Canada remain “very far apart” on a deal. Canada is seeking relief on Section 232 tariffs on Canadian lumber, autos, steel and aluminum.

Canadian negotiators are also working to avoid new tariffs that will take effect under Section 338 of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act on Aug. 19, which will hit a range of Canadian goods from cement, clothing to alcoholic products.

Sources also said the federal government is considering ways to financially support impacted businesses, should the Section 338 tariffs go through.

Carney told reporters on Monday that his government has a plan for every eventuality.

The U.S. trade irritants cited as the reason for this latest round of U.S. tariffs include Canadian retaliatory tariffs on autos, U.S. alcohol boycotts in Canadian provinces and the dairy supply management system.

“Ontario will be prepared for any and every scenario,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford, during an address in front of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s annual conference in Ottawa on Monday.

The premier reiterated his call for a team Canada response to the latest attack on Canadian workers and businesses.

More to come.

National Post

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