US and Canadian officials held urgent last-minute negotiations Tuesday to avert new 50 percent tariffs that President Donald Trump has scheduled to impose on about $20 billion worth of Canadian imports starting Wednesday.

The talks come after Canadian negotiators remained in Washington over the weekend for intensive discussions with their US counterparts. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is set to speak with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as part of the push for a deal.

Trump announced the tariffs in July under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, citing what the administration describes as discriminatory Canadian treatment of US autos, alcohol, and dairy products. The measures would apply even to goods that qualify for exemptions under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement and cover sectors including motor vehicles, alcohol, dairy, cement, and hockey sticks.

Canadian government sources have indicated that progress has been made and that both sides want an agreement before the August 19 deadline. The tariffs exclude energy products, potash, fish, and critical minerals.

The negotiations focus on addressing longstanding trade frictions while seeking to protect American workers and industries from what the administration views as unfair practices. Failure to reach a deal would mark another escalation in the ongoing US-Canada trade tensions that have persisted through 2026.

Both countries have emphasized the importance of a comprehensive agreement that benefits businesses, workers, and families on either side of the border. Additional meetings are planned as the deadline approaches.