Finance Minister Dominique LeBlanc is not focusing on discussing retaliation against US tariffs when he visits Washington, D.C., but on tackling the “economic deals” that the US administration is sought He said he was in the test.
“What the Americans say to us personally, and what they say publicly, is that we have weeks to work together,” LeBlanc wrote on February 12th in reporters. He spoke to. “And President Trump’s words were very accurate, to build an economic deal with Canada.”
US President Donald Trump had planned to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports on February 4th, but to allow both countries to make “final economic transactions.” We have agreed to suspend customs duties until March 4th.
Trump made the decision following a call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canada has pledged to strengthen border security, including the appointment of “Emperor Fentanyl” to cite Mexican cartels as a terrorist organization and implement organized crime and organized crime and the $200 million intelligence directive. Fentanyl, in addition to the previous $1.3 billion border package.
LeBlanc said Ottawa does not require the US to “move ahead” on tariffs by imposing tariffs preemptively. “Our focus is to avoid tariffs and strengthen economic partnerships, so that’s not particularly constructive as an approach,” he said.
When asked by a reporter whether he believes Trump is focusing on imposing tariffs on Canada, LeBlanc said he is “not a psychologist or a psychiatrist.” The Finance Minister said Ottawa will focus on highlighting the importance of Canada-US trade relations in the coming weeks, and “we don’t spend time imagining who’s motives.”
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While in Washington, D.C., LeBlanc met Trump’s selection for U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and economic adviser Kevin Hassett.
After meeting with Lutnick, Leblanc said Canada has the US “attention” and that “we want to work with us to build economic deals for the interests of both countries.” He also said that both sides have “a rather detailed conversation” about the steel and aluminum sectors in Canada and the US.
LeBlanc said the 25% tariff threat was not “fully pushed off the table,” but both sides had made “good progress” in national security issues and the fight against fentanyl. “I feel safe, but there’s no work going on,” he said.
Canadian US ambassador Kirsten Hillman said Trump is using tariff threats not only as a negotiation tactic, but also as a way to boost revenue for the U.S. government.
“Our job is to show as much granularity as possible in all parts of the country. What (trade) relationship with the US means to Americans, and the benefits they get from it. It’s something,” she said.
