The U.S. trade envoy under Donald Trump’s administration has emphasized that any retaliation from Canada will not be accepted if the president proceeds with imposing new tariffs. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated during a press briefing in Des Moines, Iowa, that the objective is to safeguard domestic supply chains, insisting that the actions are not targeted specifically at Canada but are part of a global approach. Greer expressed a firm stance on potential retaliatory measures, asserting that the U.S. will respond accordingly.
Recent discussions between Canada and the U.S. have intensified following Trump’s threat to impose a 50 per cent tariff on numerous Canadian goods commencing on August 19, in addition to existing sectoral tariffs. Greer highlighted that the discussions with Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc have been positive and described the tone as “constructive.”
Industry insiders familiar with the negotiations revealed that Canadian officials have highlighted the looming August 19 deadline as a critical point, indicating limited willingness to continue talks if the tariffs are implemented. Greer emphasized that the primary focus remains on executing President Trump’s trade policies while expressing openness to aligning Canada’s interests if beneficial for the U.S.
Moreover, Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister, aims to address not only the proposed 50 per cent tariff but also existing tariffs on key sectors like automotive and steel. Reports suggest that the U.S. presented a new proposal to reduce some sectoral tariffs, but the extent falls short of Canada’s expectations.
Amidst the negotiations, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet expressed skepticism about an imminent deal, cautioning against compromising on dairy negotiations. Greer raised concerns about various trade issues with Canada, particularly emphasizing alcohol bans and retaliatory tariffs as contentious points.
Former Canadian ambassador to the U.S., Frank McKenna, challenged Greer’s assertions, defending Canada’s retaliatory actions as responses to perceived unfair trade practices. McKenna criticized the notion of ‘might is right,’ arguing that countries should be able to defend themselves against unjust measures.