Dominique Leblanc, the Canadian minister responsible for trade between Canada and the United States, said the two governments would work "quickly" to reach agreements that would provide greater certainty in the steel sector by easing the impact of existing Section 232 U.
S. tariffs. The discussions will also serve as a basis for subsequent negotiations on lumber and automobiles.
The announcement comes as both sides seek to stabilize North American supply chains amid ongoing tariff pressures. The United States is currently imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, while the White House has indicated it will be flexible in exchange for broader cooperation in energy and critical minerals.
Trump described the meeting as "positive," saying the two countries would soon present concrete progress. With 85 percent of Canadian trade with the United States already tariff-free, the new negotiations aim to protect the remaining sectors most exposed to tariffs and geopolitical volatility, as understood by SteelOrbis.
