here’s a rewritten version of the article, preserving all verifiable facts and maintaining uniqueness:
Canada Prioritizes a “Right deal” Over August Deadline for U.S. Trade Agreement
Canada’s Trade Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, has indicated that the government is not rushing to finalize a trade agreement with the United States, emphasizing the importance of securing a deal that serves the best interests of Canadian workers and the economy. LeBlanc’s comments follow a meeting with the U.S. point person on tariffs, signaling a measured approach to ongoing trade negotiations.
“It’s important for us to recognize that there is a time when the deal is the right deal, and it’s important for us to be in a position to continue negotiating until we get to that point,” LeBlanc stated. These remarks align with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government’s stance, which has made it clear that the objective is “not to reach a deal whatever it costs.”
Following a recent meeting of Canada’s First Ministers, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston confirmed that the Prime Minister is not rigidly committed to signing a deal by the upcoming deadline.
This progress occurs as the U.S. has announced framework agreements on tariffs with Japan and Indonesia, with reports suggesting a similar deal is close with the European Union.Canada’s potentially less urgent stance on the August 1 deadline may stem from the fact that a notable portion of Canadian exports to the U.S.would be exempt from the threatened 35% tariffs. This is largely due to the existing Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), under which most goods enter the U.S.tariff-free.
Officials confirmed that LeBlanc and his U.S. counterpart, along with five Republican senators – Kevin Cramer (North Dakota), Roger Marshall (Kansas), Shelley Moore Capito (west Virginia), Tim Scott (South Carolina), and Todd Young (Indiana) – met in Washington.
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska commented that the U.S. and Canada share considerable security and economic interests,suggesting Canada should not be treated as “just another country” in tariff discussions. Murkowski, who visited Ottawa earlier in the week to meet with Prime Minister Carney and cabinet ministers, expressed uncertainty about a resolution before the August 1 deadline, stating, “I wish that I coudl say it feels good, that this is all going to be taken care of before the first of August, but I’m not sensing that.”
