The Canadian government is still seeking exemption from all of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs as part of a deal with Washington, Ottawa’s ambassador to the U.S. told The Globe and Mail.
Kirsten Hillman, who is also Canada’s chief trade negotiator in ongoing talks with the U.S., told the publication that she was confident that Canada could get all the levies cancelled.
Hillman’s comments come after talks between Canada and the U.S. resumed this week after Ottawa agreed to cancel a digital services tax on American firms, which Trump had criticized recently. Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney set a July 21 deadline to reach a deal with Washington.
Canada faces steep levies on exports to the U.S., with Trump’s 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum, coupled with a 25% tariff on automobiles, being a major point of contention. Trump also imposed a 25% charge on all goods not covered under the U.S-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, while oil, gas, and potash exports have a 10% levy.
Trump has set a July 9 deadline to reach trade deals with countries targeted by his ‘liberation day’ tariffs, although Canada and Mexico were exempted from these duties.
