Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is scheduled to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Friday morning, his office said.
The American tariffs were expected to take effect on Wednesday, but U.S. President Donald Trump delayed the levies for three days citing a “deal” that was in the works between both sides.
Canadian officials, led by LeBlanc and chief negotiator Janice Charette, have been in Washington, D.C., trying to finalize the finer points of the deal with Greer.
During a virtual meeting with Canada’s premiers on Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney asked them to put U.S. alcohol back on their shelves to help the deal progress, several premiers said.
After a meeting with Greer that lasted around three hours on Thursday afternoon, LeBlanc said the two sides were “very close” to a deal.
“We’re very close, we continue to make progress,” LeBlanc told reporters.
A source with direct knowledge of the talks said the U.S. could cut steel and aluminum tariffs from 50 per cent to 25 per cent and auto tariffs from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.
Two sources also told Global News that tariff relief for Canada’s softwood lumber industry is also being discussed.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said it would “unacceptable” to have sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles and lumber under a new trade deal.
Further tariffs would lead to the “de-industrialization of our economy” and see jobs in key sectors move south of the border, he said.
“Mr. Carney, keep your promise. Fight for Canada. Don’t take a bad deal. We expect a good deal, like you promised,” Poilievre said.
Canadians may continue to shun US alcohol after trade agreement reached
How premiers reacted
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said he was “skeptical” of a good faith trade deal with Trump.