LeBlanc heads to U.S. to talk tariffs as Trump casts more doubt on CUSMA

Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is heading to Washington this week for crucial talks as U.S. President Donald Trump escalates pressure with threats of new tariffs on Canadian goods. LeBlanc will be accompanied by Janice Charette, Canada's chief trade negotiator, for meetings that come ahead of formal discussions on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

The Trump administration announced last week its intention to impose 50% tariffs on specific Canadian products. These measures are reportedly a response to provincial liquor bans, Canada's dairy supply management system, and certain automobile quotas. Notably, these new duties will not include exemptions for goods already compliant under CUSMA, a trade pact that has historically shielded Canada and Mexico from many of Trump's tariffs.

President Trump has repeatedly voiced skepticism about the trade agreement's longevity, telling Fox News that he would "rather be independent" and asserting that "Mexico and Canada need us. We don’t need them." He emphasized the deal's greater importance to the neighboring countries than to the United States.

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I’d rather be independent.

This visit follows previous engagements where Canada sought a 16-year extension for the trade agreement. However, the Trump administration recently indicated it would not extend the trilateral pact, initiating annual reviews that could lead to its expiration. While Mexico and Washington have begun formal CUSMA negotiations, Ottawa has not yet initiated similar talks. U.S. trade officials have described Mexican negotiators as pragmatic but have characterized the Canadians as difficult.

In recent weeks, Canada has faced a series of U.S. tariff threats, including those linked to wildfire smoke and a temporary blockage of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also announced new duties on Canada and other countries, citing forced labor in supply chains, shortly before a different tariff authority expired. Despite these tensions, Greer has suggested he is working towards a CUSMA extension.

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Mexico and Canada need us. We don’t need them. The deal is important for them. It’s not important for us.