LeBlanc welcomes U.S. decision 'withdrawing positions' on language, culture

LeBlanc welcomes U.S. decision 'withdrawing positions' on language, culture

Dominic LeBlanc says 'U.S. clarifications on their other positions' would keep prospect of deal alive

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is hinting that a mutually beneficial trade agreement with our southern neighbours may still be possible after the U.S. rolled back its position on culture and the French language.

"Canada welcomes that the U.S. is now withdrawing its positions on discoverability and labelling and is confirming that measures to promote French language and Canadian culture will not be subject to future U.S. trade actions," LeBlanc said in a statement posted on X.

"We look forward to further constructive U.S. clarifications on their other positions which would create the possibility of a mutually beneficial trade agreement that respects Canadian sovereignty."

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Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney told his negotiators to walk away from the table after the Trump administration introduced demands on culture, autos and sovereignty.

The prime minister said the U.S. had issues with Canada's subsidies for French culture, the prevalence of French-language media online and even the requirement to have bilingual labels on products sold in Canada.

"It was unacceptable right from the start, but the Americans kept trying and trying, and we said no," Carney said at a press conference on Saturday.

"Ultimately, it's simple. That was never on the table for Canada and it would not have been acceptable to Canadians."

Modifying position on culture, language

In an interview with CBC News's chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton that aired Wednesday evening, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer appeared to modify the U.S. position on culture and language.

On the issue of discoverability of French content on streaming services, Greer told Barton it had been "highlighted" by the White House, but not as a dealbreaker.

"President Trump, myself and the U.S. government recognizes the importance and sensitivity of the French language in Canada, in Quebec, in the Maritimes and some [other] areas. We know that this is quite sensitive and quite important," he said of French-language protections.

"There is no way we would let a good deal go by for something like this. This is not something where we push hard or condition or red-line. It's like the farthest thing from a red line."

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When the talks fell apart, U.S. tariffs of 50 per cent were slapped on a wide range of Canadian products, impacting about $27-billion worth of Canadian goods.

The Americans' modified position comes two days after Canada announced its own dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on more than 700 different U.S. imports.

While the position on language and culture is good news for the prospect of a deal between the two countries, Greer told Barton that as of now, talks had all but broken down.

He said it wasn't clear when the two countries might return to the negotiation table, confirming he and LeBlanc were not in contact as of Wednesday.

"I would say we don't have open channels right now," Greer said. "I have a good relationship with Minister LeBlanc, but right now, I think the Canadian side is talking about their next steps."

Peter Zimonjic is a senior writer for CBC News who reports for digital, radio and television. He has worked as a reporter and columnist in London, England, for the Telegraph, Times and Daily Mail, and in Canada for the Ottawa Citizen, Torstar and Sun Media. He is the author of Into The Darkness: An Account of 7/7, published by Vintage.