Washington: Senior US and Canadian trade representatives are working to present US President Donald Trump with a potential trade deal as early as next Monday, Canadian public broadcaster CBC reported Tuesday, citing anonymous sources.

According to Anadolu Agency, the joint proposal could reach Trump at least a day before an August 19 deadline, giving him time to make a final decision before new 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian imports are set to take effect. This development follows a series of high-level meetings between Canada's Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, marking their third face-to-face discussion in just three weeks. Canada's chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, also spent Monday engaged in talks with US trade officials.

LeBlanc emphasized the ongoing nature of the discussions with the US, stating, "We continue to engage at the negotiation table to firmly advance and defend Canadian interests." The primary focus for Canada in the negotiations is not only to avert the impending new tariffs but also to seek relief from existing US tariffs on steel, aluminum, lumber, and autos. Additionally, there is hope that the talks will facilitate an extension of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement.

In a related development last month, Washington announced additional tariffs of 50% on specific Canadian goods, impacting a diverse range of products from wine and hockey sticks to cement, as revealed by the White House. The ongoing negotiations are critical for both nations as they navigate these complex trade issues.