Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc continued trade negotiations in Washington on Wednesday despite public comments from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The persistence of these talks is critical as Canada seeks to secure the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) amid signals that the U.S. executive may be uninterested in maintaining the current framework.
LeBlanc spent his second day [1] in Washington on July 29, 2026 [2], attempting to advance pending renegotiations and address specific U.S. concerns. The visit comes at a time of significant friction regarding the future of North American trade stability.
President Trump signaled a lack of interest in the existing trade architecture. "I don’t care about CUSMA," Trump said [3].
Despite this rhetoric, diplomatic efforts have continued. While some reports suggest little progress is being made in the talks, other accounts indicate that LeBlanc returned to Washington specifically to push the process forward. U.S. officials continue to engage in discussions regarding energy and agriculture even as the president casts doubt on the broader deal.
LeBlanc has focused his efforts on maintaining the trade relationship and resolving disputes that could lead to tariffs. The Canadian delegation is working to ensure that the economic integration of the two nations remains intact, a goal that persists despite the public dismissals from the White House.
“"I don’t care about CUSMA."”
The disconnect between President Trump's public rhetoric and the continued diplomatic activity suggests a dual-track approach to trade. While the president uses dismissive language to gain leverage or signal a desire for a complete overhaul, the administrative level of negotiation continues to focus on sectoral stability in energy and agriculture to avoid immediate economic disruption.
