Canada's Janice Charette Disputes U.S. Account of Trade Talks Collapse as $27.6 Billion Tariff Fight Looms
Updated
Updated · CBC Sports · Aug 28
Canada's Janice Charette Disputes U.S. Account of Trade Talks Collapse as $27.6 Billion Tariff Fight Looms
3 articles · Updated · CBC Sports · Aug 28
Summary
Janice Charette said Canada raised tariff relief for its full auto sector throughout the week, rejecting U.S. claims that medium- and heavy-duty trucks surfaced only in a last-minute bid to sink the deal.
Friday-night talks also still included U.S. pressure to drop French-language discoverability protections, she said, while Canada was willing to discuss streamer financial obligations but not cultural safeguards.
Late-stage U.S. proposals further sought to constrain Canada's future trade deals, Charette said, though she added it remained unclear whether Washington wanted consultation rights, sign-off authority or an effective veto.
Canada has paused negotiations but says the door remains open if a deal protects sovereignty; Charette said trust now depends on the fine print after talks ran until the final hours.
Ottawa is preparing for a prolonged standoff, matching new 50% U.S. tariffs with duties on $27.6 billion of American goods and rolling out $7.5 billion in domestic support.