LeBlanc returning to Washington to meet with Greer, continue deal finalization

OTTAWA — Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is heading back to Washington to meet again with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, alongside Canada’s chief negotiator Janice Charette, at 12:15 p.m. ET as work continues to finalize a deal to avert a new round of U.S. tariffs.

LeBlanc was in Ottawa on Wednesday to brief Prime Minister Mark Carney on the status of talks and take part in a virtual cabinet meeting that was followed by one with the premiers.

Some premiers say they’re optimistic about Canada’s progress in reaching a trade deal to avoid punishing tariffs from the United States, while others say they’re waiting for more details about the agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he would put a three-day pause on 50 per cent tariffs that would have hit an array of Canadian goods just after midnight Wednesday.