'We have more work to do', says Canada negotiator as US trade deadline looms

What the report says

Canada’s lead trade negotiator, Dominic LeBlanc, said talks with the United States still had “more work to do” as both sides raced toward a Friday night deadline to complete a tentative trade agreement. BBC World News reported that LeBlanc spent about eight hours in meetings in Washington with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other officials, underscoring how close the negotiations remain to the wire.

According to the BBC, the deal’s full framework had not been made public by Friday evening, while President Donald Trump said only that discussions were “moving along.” The broadcaster said leaked details suggest Washington may lower tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium and automobiles, while Canada could restore sales of American alcohol and potentially grant US dairy producers greater access to its market. Canada is also reported to be weighing whether to remove its retaliatory tariffs.

The proposed terms have drawn criticism inside Canada. Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre warned against “one-sided” tariffs, while Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Canada should not rush concessions. Quebec’s premier said she was still reviewing the impact on farmers, and some other provincial leaders appeared more open to restoring US alcohol sales. The BBC said the pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney is significant because a failure to reach a deal could trigger additional US tariffs on Canadian goods.

The report also noted broader concern about the economic stakes, including estimates that new tariffs could cost Canadian jobs. It adds context to Carney’s challenge in balancing domestic political pressure with the need to avoid a wider trade escalation with Washington.