The Globe and Mail as well as CBC News reported that Canada was prepared to concede to some American demands as trade talks heat up. The President has threatened a new round of tariffs against Canada beginning August 19, citing provincial booze bans, dairy, and automotive sector tariffs which Canada has in place. 

The news this week is that the Canadian side is willing to offer concessions on several of these items in order to secure tariff relief more broadly as well as to agree to restart CUSMA trade talks in the fall. 

Canada reportedly has offered to ending provincial booze bans, lifting the retaliatory tariffs placed on American automotive products, and negotiating “some changes on dairy”, without providing specifics. In exchange, the Canadian side is pushing for the US to forgo the threatened new 50% tariffs, as well as reduce or remove tariffs on steel and aluminum. 

Following discussions with his American counterpart, Minister of Internal Trade Dominic LeBlanc took the time to brief provincial governments on the status of the talks.