Conversations with U.S. officials continue despite lack of trade negotiations, LeBlanc says

Conversations with U.S. officials continue despite lack of trade negotiations, LeBlanc says KYLE DUGGAN BANFF, ALTA. THE CANADIAN PRESS PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO UPDATED 1 HOUR AGO Open this photo in gallery: Dominic LeBlanc speaks with reporters before the start of the Liberal Cabinet Planning Forum in Banff, Alta., on Friday. TODD KOROL/REUTERS COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. Officials on both sides of the border are still talking even though there are no official trade negotiations under way, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Friday. LeBlanc was in Banff, Alta., for the two-day Liberal cabinet retreat, where the ongoing trade war with the United States has been a key topic. He said he has no meetings in Washington scheduled but has spoken several times with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and sometimes speaks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as well. LeBlanc said he sent a text to Lutnick on Friday, the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Lutnick’s brother Gary died in the North Tower of the World Trade Center that day. “He has talked to me often about what that meant for him and his family,” LeBlanc said. “So I sent him a message to say I was thinking about him.” Globe journalists share their 9/11 experiences from New York and beyond, 25 years later LeBlanc had multiple meetings with Greer in Washington over the summer, including during the intense two-week period before the August trade deal deadline imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Those talks were suspended on Aug. 21. They have not met since and LeBlanc said he has no formal meetings scheduled. Speaking in French, he said that even without formal negotiations, maintaining the relationship is important “for all kinds of reasons.” He said the government must be ready for the prospect of a deal that respects Canadian sovereignty and serves the country’s national interest. The two countries appeared to be on the verge of a deal in August to settle some outstanding trade irritants and prevent the U.S. from imposing a new round of punishing tariffs on Canada. When Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended those talks and summoned LeBlanc back to Canada, Carney accused the American side of making last-minute demands that would undermine Canada’s sovereignty. Trump then imposed 50-per-cent tariffs on nearly $28-billion in Canadian goods.…