No Deal but ‘Substantial Progress’ Made in Trump Talks: Minister LeBlanc

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says there has been “substantial progress” made in trade talks with the United States, following a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.

Although no trade deal has yet been reached between Washington and Ottawa, LeBlanc said that more progress has been made and Trump and Carney have both directed officials to work quickly to reach deals on steel, aluminum and energy.

“In the conversation today, we talked about ways to quickly arrive at a deal that will bring, we hope, a better circumstance to both countries in these sectors of significant importance,” LeBlanc said, speaking to reporters after the Oct. 7 meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump, as well as with members of their cabinets.

He added that he was “very happy” with how discussions had gone and there is “momentum” growing, but that “the work continues” in reaching a finalized bilateral deal.

The United States applied 35 percent tariffs on all Canadian exports that fall outside the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) at the beginning of August, along with sectoral tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, and softwood lumber. According to the Liberal government, 85 percent of trade between Canada and the U.S. remains free of tariffs under the USMCA.

During the portion of the meeting open to media, Trump said he was prepared to make new agreements with Canada, but offered no specifics.

“We‘ll make some deals, and we’ll do some things that are good for both of our countries and markets,” Trump said.

“We want Canada to do great, but, you know, there’s a point at which we also want the same business. We’re competing for the same business. That’s the problem.”

Asked in French about the $1 trillion Canadian investment in the United States that Carney pledged over the next five years—conditional on Ottawa securing the trade deal it expects with Washington—LeBlanc declined to answer in detail but said it was just a reflection of how Canada’s private companies and pension funds invest significantly in the U.S.

Carney’s comments were criticized by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Oct. 7 in the House of Commons.

“He made a massive trillion dollar concession before the deal was even signed and without getting anything in return,” Polievre said, adding that the large investment would “sell out” Canadian workers.

For his part, LeBlanc said the Oct. 7 discussions in Washington were focused on the wellbeing of Canada’s economy and workers.

“It’s important for Canadians to understand that at all moments in the conversation, Prime Minister Carney spoke about the importance of the Canadian economy and how we can protect and defend Canadian workers,” LeBlanc said. “Our job is to defend Canadian workers and Canadian businesses. The prime minister did that, I think, in a very significant way today.”

Asked about Canada signing on to Washington’s Golden Dome air defence system, LeBlanc said that no contract was signed but that Canada remains open to joining the endeavour. Canada’s protection under the air defence shield system would cost US$61 billion, according to Trump.

“Nobody put the contract in front of us and signing with a witness,” LeBlanc said. “We told the Americans we want to be a security and defence partner, and the golden dome is absolutely part of that conversation.”