Canada minister Dominic LeBlanc expressed optimism that a deal could be reached to reduce the newly imposed 35% US tariffs on Canadian goods outside the USMCA. He hinted at upcoming talks between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Trump.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order increasing tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% from 25% on all products not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, the White House said.

The imbalance in President Trump’s treatment of America’s closest trading partners may come from his desire to make Canada the 51st state, some Canadians believe.