According to the New York Times, U.S. Trade Representative Greer disclosed a
previously unseen U.S. offer to Canada that he said would give Canada the
most-favored treatment among U.S. trading partners. Key measures: rescind a 10%
softwood lumber tariff imposed last year under Section 232; cut a 25% auto
tariff, potentially down to 7% if vehicles contain any U.S. parts; and reduce
metal tariffs. Under a proposed tariff-quota system most U.S. duties on Canadian
steel would fall from 50% to 25%, aluminum duties would be cut from 50% to 25%
with no quota limits, and tariffs on downstream products using steel or aluminum
would be reduced by 10–25 percentage points with a 15% floor. The U.S. also
proposed suspending 50% tariffs due to start on dairy, wine, hockey sticks and
other goods, and offered cooperation on critical minerals and transit. Greer
rejected Prime Minister Carney's claim that the U.S. demanded too much and
offered too little, saying the proposal would maintain and further improve
Canada's market access.
