Dominic LeBlanc

We will continue engaging constructively with the United States on this matter, as well as other outstanding issues, over the coming weeks to the mutual benefit of our citizens,

That is why Canada has one of the world’s most robust frameworks to prevent and address forced labour, backed by strong legislative and enforcement measures.

Canada shares the United States’ objective of ensuring goods produced with forced labour do not enter our supply chains.

One of the common points we discussed, for example, is how to have a North American economy with integrated supply chains that could compete with other regions of the world that are competing with us.

The goal of our conversations with the Americans is, obviously, to reduce the sectoral tariffs that are hurting the economies of all three countries.

I remain confident that we'll reach a bilateral agreement and that we'll reduce the uncertainty surrounding the CUSMA review, but we'll do the work over the summer to put ourselves in that position.

We don't have any more predictability about the annual review process because this is somewhat uncharted territory. It's not typical for this kind of agreement.

My conversation on July 1 was encouraging in the sense that all three countries recognized the importance of having a North American economy that will be competitive with other economic blocs in other parts of the world.

I remain confident that we’ll reach a bilateral agreement and that we’ll reduce the uncertainty surrounding the CUSMA review.

One of the difficulties since Mr. Trump arrived is precisely these uncertainties.

We don’t have any more predictability about the annual review process because this is somewhat uncharted territory.

At a time of global economic uncertainty, Canada is a stable, reliable and trusted partner.

He is looking forward to continuing the work of supporting Canadian workers, farmers and businesses, on July 1 and beyond.

We’re not waiting for that process as an idle spectator.

Trade talks with his American counterpart on a critical continental trade pact are not a 'one-way conversation.'

We made progress in resolving with Jamieson a number of issues that the United States Trade Representative has raised over a number months with Canada.

But we also talked about issues that are important to Canadian workers and the Canadian economy.

We talked about a number of other issues that the United States raises with us.

The good news is that we haven’t yet had recourse to that legal instrument.

We have put before the United States, before President Trump, some very specific offers that we think are in the interest of the United States economy and the Canadian economy.

Ottawa must do what we have to ensure that Canadian business and the Canadian economy navigate through that.

Because these changes have the potential to shape how we build major projects and strengthen our economy for years to come, we want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.

We can’t afford to do what Mexico can do.

We presented a number of specific proposals to (U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson) Greer that we think are good in the broader context of the North American economy and respond to some long-standing issues that the United States has…

It won’t surprise you that we share the concern of the Americans and other economic partners that we need to do everything we can together to face this challenge.