OTTAWA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Canada and the United States remain far apart in negotiations aimed at averting new 50-percent U.S. tariffs scheduled to take effect Aug. 19, Reuters reported Friday.
Canadian Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc gave that assessment to an advisory committee after another week of negotiations in Washington, according to a source directly briefed on his remarks. LeBlanc has met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer four times in three weeks, and talks are expected to continue through the weekend.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered 50-percent tariffs on nearly 20 billion U.S. dollars' worth of Canadian imports, including some goods that qualify for preferential treatment under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Key disputes include Canadian measures affecting U.S. autos, dairy products and alcohol, while Ottawa is seeking relief from U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO Candace Laing said both sides are seeking an interim agreement covering existing tariffs and the threatened new duties. ■
