Minister LeBlanc chairs meeting of Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations

October 22, 2026 - Ottawa, Canada - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, along with Chief Trade Negotiator Janice Charette and Ambassador Mark Wiseman, met with the members of the Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations. This meeting marks the ninth time members have convened since April 2026.

Minister LeBlanc discussed the federal government’s support measures to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Canadian businesses, and the importance of a Team Canada approach. Chief Trade Negotiator Charette discussed the ongoing work to address unjustified trade measures affecting Canadian workers and businesses. Ambassador Wiseman provided an update on the current state of play in Washington.

Committee members discussed the ongoing impact of U.S. tariffs on their regions, businesses or sectors and shared their insights. They also discussed Canada’s response to the tariffs and shared perspectives on how these measures are helping mitigate economic impacts across the country.

The discussion underscored the importance of continued collaboration with governments, industry, labour and other partners to ensure Canada’s response reflects national priorities and promotes long-term economic growt

Statement by Canadian Minister LeBlanc on the imposition by the U.S. of Section 301 Tariffs related to forced labour practices

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, issued the following statement following the publication by the United States of its notice of final action in the context of the Section 301 investigations on forced labour practices:

“Today, the United States announced its intention to impose tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on 60 economies worldwide, including Canada.

Quota Bulletin 26-112 2026 USMCA TPL Canada

Commodity: Certain Cotton, Wool and Man-made Fiber textile products from Canada, as provided in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), Chapter 98 subchapter 23.

USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) contains quantitative restraints associated with a reduced duty rate for agricultural products that meet the requirements for a “qualifying good."  A qualifying good is one that meets the product specific rule of origin; however, U.S. materials or inputs are of a non-party, i.e., U.S. materials are considered non-originating.  

Read more HERE.

Request for Public Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Relating to the Operation of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada

On September 17, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (90 FR 44869) Request for Public Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Relating to the Operation of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada.

USTR is commencing a public consultation process in advance of the joint review (Joint Review) of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA or Agreement) on July 1, 2026. As directed by Congress, USTR is seeking public comments on the operation of the Agreement, including on the operation of the North American Competitiveness Committee (Competitiveness Committee) established therein.

Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) Implementing Regulations Related to Textile and Apparel Goods, Automotive Goods, and Other USMCA Provisions; Correcting Amendments

On September 8, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published in the Federal Register (90 FR 43155) Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) Implementing Regulations Related to Textile and Apparel Goods, Automotive Goods, and Other USMCA Provisions; Correcting Amendments.

CBP Publishes Guidance for USMCA TPL Canada

QB 24-112 USMCA TPL Canada

Commodity:

Certain Cotton, Wool and Man-made Fiber textile products, as provided for in Chapter 98, Sub-chapter XXIII, US Note 11 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
 

Quota Period:

January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024
 

Opening Date:

Tuesday, January 2, 2024
 

Restraint Limits

TPL Number	Description	Limit	UOM
1	Cotton or Man-made Fiber Apparel	40,000,000	UOM
2	Wool Apparel	200,000	UOM
3	Men’s and Boy’s Wool Suits of Category 443	3,800,000	UOM
4	Aggregate total of TPL 5 & 6	71,765,252	UOM
5	Cotton or man-made Fiber Fabrics and Made-up Textile Goods WOVEN	38,642,828	UOM
6	Cotton or man-made Fiber Fabrics and Made-up Textile Goods KNIT	38,642,828	UOM
7	Non-originating Cotton or Man-made Spun Yarn sub: ACRYLIC	3,000,000	UOM
8	Non-originating Cotton or Man-made Spun Yarn sub: OTHER YARNS	3,000,000	UOM

HTS Numbers

First Tariff Field	Second Tariff Field
98235201	Appropriate Chapter 1- 1-97 HTS Number
98235202	Appropriate Chapter 1- 1-97 HTS Number
98235203	Appropriate Chapter 1- 1-97 HTS Number
98235204	Appropriate Chapter 1- 1-97 HTS Number
98235205	Appropriate Chapter 1- 1-97 HTS Number
98235200	Appropriate Chapter 1- 1-97 HTS Number
98235207	Appropriate Chapter 1- 1-97 HTS Number
98235208	Appropriate Chapter 1- 1-97 HTS Number

Reporting Instructions:

Place the rate of duty in the "special" sub-column of column 1 followed by the symbol "S+" for ALL entries.

Use entry type code 02, 06, 07, 12, 23, 32, 38, or 52.

SQUARE METERS EQUIVALENT (SME) means that unit of measurement that results from the application of the conversion factors set out in Annex 6-B (Conversion Factors) to a primary unit of measure such as unit, dozen, or kilograms.
 

Special Reporting Instructions:

See Additional U.S. Note 11(a) and (iii) to Subchapter XXIII of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).

TPL (1) - See Additional U.S. Note 11 (i)(A) Subchapter XXIII of the HTS.

TPL (2) - See Additional U.S. Note 11 (i)(B) Subchapter XXIII of the HTS.

TPL (3) - See Additional U.S. Note 11 (a)(l) Subchapter XXIII of the HTS.

TPL (4) - See Additional U.S. Note 11 (ll)(C) Subchapter XXIII of the HTS.

TPL (5) - See Additional U.S. Note 11 (ll)(A) Subchapter XXIII of the HTS. For category 222, use NFT

TPL (6) - See Additional U.S. Note 11 (ll)(B)(D)(l)(ll) Subchapter XXIII of the HTS. For category, 222 use NFT

TPL (7) - See Additional U.S. Note 11 (iii)(A) Subchapter XXIII of the HTS.

TPL (8) - See Additional U.S. Note 11 (iii)(B) Subchapter XXIII of the HTS.

This note and subheadings 9823.52.01 through 9823.52.08, inclusive, apply to certain textile and apparel goods of Canada that are not originating goods under the terms of general note 11 to the tariff schedule, however, that are eligible for special tariff treatment as provided for herein, USMCA claims involving non-originating textiles and apparel goods subject to TPL provisions must be accompanied by a valid certificate (or its electronic equivalent) of eligibility. For purposes of obtaining preferential tariff treatment, this document must be completed legibly and in full by the exporter and be in the possession of the importer at the time the declaration is made.
 

Certificate Numbering:

The first number of the certificate must match the year of presentation. For example, a 2024 certificate, e.g.4CA (XX) 123456, must accompany merchandise entered in 2024. The certificate must be reflected in column 34 on the CBP 7501. ABI filers can transmit the certificates of eligibility in the certificate field of the line information.

A 2023 certificate of eligibility CANNOT be used for merchandise presented in 2024.  Likewise, a 2024 certificate cannot be used on entries presented in 2023.  Merchandise presented in 2024 will require a 2024 certificate of eligibility and will be charged to the 2024 quota limits. Therefore, 2023 entry summaries for merchandise released on or after December 17, 2023, must be presented by December 31, 2023. If presented after December 31, 2023, liquidated damages may be assessed for late filing.
 

Post-Importation Claims:

Post-importation claims for TPL must be filed with the certificate of eligibility for the year the entry summary, or equivalent documentation, is accepted by CBP.  Post-importation claims will not be granted if the quantitative restraints for the subject TPL are already filled.

Questions from the importing community regarding this electronic message should be referred to the local CBP port. The port may refer questions through email to HQQUOTA@cbp.dhs.gov.

Customs Announced 2023 Canada Textile and Apparel TPLs

Commodity: Certain Cotton, Wool and Man-made Fiber textile products, as provided for in Chapter 98, Sub-chapter XXIII, US Note 11 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States,

Read more HERE.

Canada and UK Negotiating a Free Trade Agreement

On March 24, 2022< Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, and the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for International Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, announced they will proceed with negotiations toward a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). The first round of negotiations will begin on March 28, 2022.

• The United Kingdom was Canada’s third-largest individual country trading partner in 2021 for both goods and services, which were valued together at $42.2 billion.
• Canada exported $24.1 billion in goods and services to and imported $18.1 billion in goods and services from United Kingdom in 2021. 3,700 Canadian companies on average export goods to the United Kingdom annually. More than 92% are SMEs.
• The United Kingdom is Canada’s second-largest individual partner, after the United States, in bilateral services trade, direct investment and science, technology and innovation partnerships. In 2019, Canada-U.K. trade in clean technology and environmental products reached $677.6 million.
• The Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) will continue to provide certainty for Canadian and U.K. businesses and remain in place over the course of the negotiations.
• Both the bilateral negotiations and the United Kingdom’s possible accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) present opportunities for Canada to further enhance its relationship with the United Kingdom.
• Canada and the United Kingdom cooperate closely in multilateral forums, including the G7, G20, WTO and Ottawa Group on WTO reform, to advance common interests and promote rules-based international trade.

United States Prevails in USMCA Dispute on Canadian Dairy Restrictions

On January 4, 2021, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that the United States has prevailed in the first dispute settlement panel proceeding ever brought under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). A USMCA panel agreed with the United States that Canada is breaching its USMCA commitments by reserving most of the in-quota quantity in its dairy tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for the exclusive use of Canadian processors.

The United States requested that a panel be established on May 25, 2021 under Chapter 31 of the USMCA. The panel issued its final report to the Parties on December 20, 2021. Under USMCA rules, Canada has 45 days from the date of the final report to comply with the Panel’s findings. From January through October 2021, the United States exported $478 million of dairy products to Canada, which is the third largest export destination for U.S. dairy products.

Background

A tariff-rate quota applies a preferential rate of duty to an “in-quota” quantity of imports and a different rate to imports above that in-quota quantity. Under the USMCA, Canada has the right to maintain 14 TRQs on the following dairy products: milk, cream, skim milk powder, butter and cream powder, industrial cheeses, cheeses of all types, milk powders, concentrated or condensed milk, yogurt and buttermilk, powdered buttermilk, whey powder, products consisting of natural milk constituents, ice cream and ice cream mixes, and other dairy.

In notices to importers that Canada published in June and October 2020 and May 2021 for dairy TRQs, Canada set aside and reserved a percentage of the quota for processors and for so-called “further processors”, contrary to Canada’s USMCA commitments. As a result of this restriction, Canada has been undermining the value of its dairy TRQs for U.S. farmers and exporters since entry into force of the USMCA by limiting access to in-quota quantities negotiated under the Agreement.

USTR officials worked closely with staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture throughout the case. A USMCA panel agreed with the United States that Canada’s allocation of dairy TRQs, specifically the set-aside of a percentage of each dairy TRQ exclusively for Canadian processors, is inconsistent with Canada’s commitment in Article 3.A.2.11(b) of the USMCA not to “limit access to an allocation to processors.” The Panel additionally found that the Agreement makes no distinction between initial processors and “further processors”, and that therefore, the restriction in Article 3.A.2.11(b) applies to all processors, including specific subsets.

A copy of the panel report is available HERE.

Canada and Mexico TPLs for Certain Cotton, Wool and Man-made Fiber Textile Products

U.S. Customs has issued broker guidance for USMCA TPLs for the quota period January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022.

Mexico TPLs.

Canada TPLs,

Statement by USTR Spokesperson Adam Hodge on Canada’s Digital Services Tax As Described in Canada’s Notice of Ways and Means Motion to Introduce an Act to Implement a Digital Services Tax

On December 15, 2021, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued the following statement:

“The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is concerned with Canada’s announcement that it will continue to pursue a unilateral Digital Service Tax (DST). As noted in comments to Canada regarding the DST described in Canada’s 2021 budget document, most DSTs have been designed in ways that discriminate against U.S. companies, as they single out American firms for taxation while effectively excluding national firms engaged in similar lines of business. USTR continues to strongly oppose any new DSTs adopted by our trading partners.

“The standstill on new digital services taxes prior to the implementation of Pillar One of the October 8 OECD/G20 agreement is an important part of the new architecture for international taxation, which Canada joined. That agreement will help end the race to the bottom over multinational corporate taxation by leveling the corporate tax playing field. Canada’s proposed DST would create the possibility of significant retroactive tax liabilities with immediate consequences for U.S. companies.

“If Canada adopts a DST, USTR would examine all options, including under our trade agreements and domestic statutes.”

Canada temporarily withdraws non-essential personnel from Canadian embassy in Haiti

On November 11, 2021, Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement:

“The security situation in Haiti is rapidly deteriorating and is being exacerbated by ongoing fuel shortages.

“As a result, Global Affairs Canada is temporarily withdrawing non-essential Canadian employees as well as family members of Canadian embassy staff from Haiti."

Statement by Canada Minister of Foreign Affairs on closure of Hong Kong newspaper, Apple Daily

On June 23, 2021, The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement on the announcement of the closure of the Hong Kong newspaper, Apple Daily:

“The forced closure of the newspaper, Apple Daily, as a result of charges under the National Security Law for Hong Kong is a significant blow to freedom of the press and freedom of speech in Hong Kong, and makes it clear that the powers under the National Security Law are being used as a tool to suppress media freedom and punish dissidents.

“These freedoms are universal human rights guaranteed under Hong Kong’s Basic Law, and are in line with international standards.

“Canada is a steadfast supporter of the One Country, Two Systems principle and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. The ouster of a major media organization under the National Security Law significantly degrades these principles, guaranteed under the Sino-British Joint Declaration.”

Statement by Minister Ng regarding United States tariffs on Canadian solar products

On June 18, 2021, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, issued the following statement regarding Canada’s request for a dispute settlement panel under Chapter 31 of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) with respect to the United States safeguard tariffs on solar products from Canada: “As we build back better from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and urgently address climate change, Canada and the United States must be aligned and work together on the development of sustainable and equitable energy transitions and clean energy innovation. “It is in this context that Canada has requested a dispute settlement panel to address the United States safeguard tariffs of 18% on Canadian solar products. These tariffs are unwarranted and damaging to the global competitiveness of our long-established, secure, and deeply integrated supply chains. “Moving forward with Canada’s request for a dispute settlement panel on these tariffs will help ensure the timely resolution of this issue.” “Canada and the United States share a long-standing mutually beneficial relationship, and our ongoing partnership will contribute to a strong, sustainable recovery, and benefit workers and businesses on both sides of the border.”

Minister Ng congratulates Katherine Tai on her confirmation as United States Trade Representative

On March 17, 2021, the Honourable Mary Ng, Canadian Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, issued the following statement:

“I would like to congratulate Katherine Tai on her historic confirmation as the new United States trade representative. Ambassador Tai has extensive experience and deep knowledge of matters of international trade.

“The United States is Canada’s closest friend and ally and our most important trade partner. Our deeply integrated supply chains strengthen North American security and competitiveness and support jobs, workers, and industry on both sides of the border.

“I look forward to working with Ambassador Tai on key trade issues, including the implementation of the new NAFTA, our shared commitment to further advance labour issues and climate priorities, our work to strengthen the multilateral rules-based trade system and modernize the WTO, and our pursuit of an inclusive trade agenda.

“As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden recently announced in the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership, we will also work closely together to develop a strategy to enhance Canada-United States supply chain security and to reinforce our deeply interconnected and mutually beneficial economic relationship.

“Our 2 countries continue to work together to keep our supply chains open and resilient in our collaborative efforts to fight the global COVID-19 pandemic and build back better with a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery that strengthens the middle class.”

Quick facts

• Canada and the United States benefit from a trillion-dollar trade and investment relationship that supports millions of middle-class jobs on both sides of the border.
• Canada is the United States’ largest customer and buys more goods from the United States than do China, Japan and the United Kingdom combined.
• Canada is the number one international customer for more than 32 states.
• In 2019, approximately 77% of Canada’s exports to the United States were goods used in the production of other goods.

U.S., Australia, Canada, and UK Issue Joint Statement on Hong Kong

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Begin Text:

We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, underscore our serious concern at the mass arrests of 55 politicians and activists in Hong Kong for subversion under the National Security Law.

The National Security Law is a clear breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and undermines the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework. It has curtailed the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. It is clear that the National Security Law is being used to eliminate dissent and opposing political views.

We call on the Hong Kong and Chinese central authorities to respect the legally guaranteed rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong without fear of arrest and detention. It is crucial that the postponed Legislative Council elections in September proceed in a fair way that includes candidates representing a range of political opinions.

United States Takes Action for American Dairy Farmers by Filing First-Ever USMCA Enforcement Action

On December 9, 2020, United States Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer announced that the United States is exercising its rights under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to address measures adopted by the Government of Canada that are contrary to the provisions of the agreement and harm U.S. dairy farmers. Specifically, the United States is challenging Canada’s allocation of dairy tariff-rate quotas (TRQs). By setting aside and reserving a percentage of each dairy TRQ exclusively for processors, Canada has undermined the ability of American dairy farmers and producers to utilize the agreed-upon TRQs and sell a wide range of dairy products to Canadian consumers.

Ambassador Lighthizer provided official notice to Canada that it was exercising its rights to enforce the USMCA in a letter to Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Mary Ng. If the United States and Canada are not able to resolve the United States’ concerns through consultations, the United States may request the establishment of a USMCA dispute settlement panel to examine the matter.

Background

As defined in the USMCA, a TRQ is “a mechanism that provides for the application of a preferential rate of customs duty to imports of a particular originating good up to a specified quantity (in-quota quantity), and at a different rate to imports of that good that exceed that quantity”. Under the USMCA, Canada has the right to maintain 14 TRQs on dairy products, including milk, cream, skim milk powder, butter and cream powder, industrial cheeses, cheeses of all types, milk powders, concentrated or condensed milk, yogurt and buttermilk, powdered buttermilk, whey powder, products consisting of natural milk constituents, ice cream and ice cream mixes, and other dairy.

In notices to importers that Canada published in June and October for dairy TRQs, Canada sets aside and reserves a percentage of the quota for processors and for so-called “further processors”, contrary to Canada’s USMCA commitments. This restriction undermines the value of Canada’s TRQs for U.S. producers and exporters by limiting their access to in-quota quantities negotiated under the USMCA.

A copy of the consultation request can be found here.

Canada successfully concludes talks on transitional trade continuity agreement with the United Kingdom

On November 21, 2020, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, along with Elizabeth Truss, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for International Trade, announced the successful conclusion of talks for the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement - an interim deal that will be in place as Canada and the United Kingdom work towards negotiating a comprehensive free trade agreement.

As CETA will no longer apply to the United Kingdom beginning January 1, 2021, this new agreement will provide continued access to the benefits of CETA on a bilateral basis, including the elimination of tariffs on 98% of Canadian products exported to the United Kingdom. This will provide a competitive edge to Canadian exporters and businesses who will maintain preferential access to the United Kingdom market, even as the country exits the EU.

This agreement is intended to provide stability and predictability for businesses, exporters, and workers in both Canada and the United Kingdom. Canada and the United Kingdom have long shared a profound and positive relationship, with a long history of working closely together.

Joint Statement on Hong Kong

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Begin Text:

We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, reiterate our serious concern regarding China’s imposition of new rules to disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong. Following the imposition of the National Security Law and postponement of September’s Legislative Council elections, this decision further undermines Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms.

China’s action is a clear breach of its international obligations under the legally binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration. It breaches both China’s commitment that Hong Kong will enjoy a ‘high degree of autonomy’, and the right to freedom of speech.

The disqualification rules appear part of a concerted campaign to silence all critical voices following the postponement of September’s Legislati

ve Council elections, the imposition of charges against a number of elected legislators, and actions to undermine the freedom of Hong Kong’s vibrant media.

We call on China to stop undermining the rights of the people of Hong Kong to elect their representatives in keeping with the Joint Declaration and Basic Law. For the sake of Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity, it is essential that China and the Hong Kong authorities respect the channels for the people of Hong Kong to express their legitimate concerns and opinions.

As a leading member of the international community, we expect China to live up to its international commitments and its duty to the people of Hong Kong. We urge the Chinese central authorities to re-consider their actions against Hong Kong’s elected legislature and immediately reinstate the Legislative Council members.

End text.

Joint Statement on Hong Kong – Canada, US, UK, and Australia

"Hong Kong has flourished as a bastion of freedom. The international community has a significant and longstanding stake in Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Direct imposition of national security legislation on Hong Kong by the Beijing authorities, rather than through Hong Kong's own institutions as provided for under Article 23 of the Basic Law, would curtail the Hong Kong people's liberties, and in doing so, dramatically erode the autonomy and the system that made it so prosperous.

"China's proposals for a new national security law for Hong Kong lies in direct conflict with its international obligations under the principles of the legally-binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration. The proposed law would undermine the One Country, Two Systems framework. It also raises the prospect of prosecution in Hong Kong for political crimes, and undermines existing commitments to protect the rights of Hong Kong people - including those set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

"We are also extremely concerned that this action will exacerbate the existing deep divisions in Hong Kong society; the law does nothing to build mutual understanding and foster reconciliation within Hong Kong. Rebuilding trust across Hong Kong society by allowing the people of Hong Kong to enjoy the rights and freedoms they were promised can be the only way back from the tensions and unrest that the territory has seen over the last year.

"The world's focus on a global pandemic requires enhanced trust in governments and international cooperation. Beijing's unprecedented move risks having the opposite effect.

"As Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity are jeopardized by the new imposition, we call on the Government of China to work with the Hong Kong SAR Government and the people of Hong Kong to find a mutually acceptable accommodation that will honor China’s international obligations under the UN-filed Sino-British Joint Declaration."