Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and the U.S. Trade Representative are working to present a potential trade deal to President Donald Trump by Monday, according to sources briefed on the matter. The goal is to offer the proposal to Trump a day before the upcoming tariff deadline to give him time to make a final decision before new 50% tariffs on numerous Canadian imports are set to come into effect on August 19.

LeBlanc recently met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, their third face-to-face meeting in three weeks. Following the meeting, neither LeBlanc nor Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, responded to reporters’ questions. LeBlanc later mentioned on social media that discussions are ongoing and they will continue to engage in negotiations.

Apart from discouraging new tariffs, LeBlanc and Charette are seeking relief from sectoral tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles. Additionally, Canada hopes for an extension of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) after the Trump administration chose not to renew the deal in July.

The U.S. recently announced the imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods, citing various trade disputes including Canada’s response to U.S. trade policies, such as removing U.S. alcohol from provincial stores and alleged discrimination against U.S. motor vehicles and dairy products.

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner emphasized the importance of Canada being in a strong negotiating position with the White House. She urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to deliver on his promise to secure a trade agreement with the Trump administration. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also called on Carney to stand firm in negotiations and secure a favorable deal for Canadians, including zero tariffs on softwood lumber and an end to sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum.