Canadian officials were upbeat after meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick but the only thing that was announced was another meeting next week.
Lutnick released a readout from the meeting but it offers very little. The best thing you can say is that it doesn’t make things worse.
Readout from Secretary Lutnick’s Meeting with Minister Leblanc, Ontario Premier Ford, Minister Champagne, and Ambassador Hillman
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met today with Canadian Minister of Finance Dominic LeBlanc, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry François-Philippe Champagne, and Canadian Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman in advance of the April 2nd reciprocal tariff deadline to discuss the Trump Administration’s steel and aluminum tariffs, and its goal of fair trade with Canada and the province of Ontario, while working to secure America’s border and eliminate fentanyl.
During the meeting, Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer highlighted the Trump Administration’s steadfast commitment to pursuing fair trade and Canada’s potential role in those efforts. Both countries recognized the strength and history of their relationship.
Secretary Lutnick is dedicated to fulfilling President Donald J. Trump’s vision on trade. Since he was confirmed, Secretary Lutnick has met with numerous foreign representatives to ensure that the President’s message is heard and acted on accordingly by our partners around the world. By building balanced and fair relationships that eliminate the current status quo of overwhelming trade deficits and crushing foreign restrictions, the Trump Administration will help U.S. companies, large and small, prosper in the global marketplace.
