LeBlanc set to meet U.S. trade representative today

Ottawa — Canada's Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and the U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are scheduled to hold a virtual meeting today as a looming threat of tariffs between the two countries hangs in the air. LeBlanc's office stated that the meeting serves as an opportunity to assess the progress made by both negotiating teams thus far.

In a bid to protect its interests, U.S. President Donald Trump has recently signed an executive order to impose a 50 percent tariff on a wide array of goods, including cement and hockey sticks, starting Aug. 19. Greer, on Friday, reiterated that talks have been constructive, but emphasized that Canada must lift its retaliatory measures to prevent the implementation of the new tariffs.

The American side claims that these new levies are a response to provincial bans on U.S. liquor, Canada's supply-managed dairy system, and quotas on certain U.S. vehicles. Sunday's meeting is being conducted online despite LeBlanc's presence in Washington because it coincides with Greer's birthday. This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on Aug. 16, 2026.