Federal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says progress is being made in ongoing trade discussions with the United States but cautions that a final agreement is not imminent.

LeBlanc pushed back Tuesday on reports suggesting Canada and the U.S. could soon announce a deal to ease tariffs imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The minister said he was surprised by a report in The Globe and Mail claiming a potential agreement on steel, aluminum and energy could be ready for signing at next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea.

LeBlanc, who accompanied Prime Minister Mark Carney to Washington earlier this month for talks with Trump, said discussions with senior U.S. officials have been ongoing and constructive. However, he emphasized that more work remains before both sides can reach a balanced outcome.

He added that setting an artificial deadline could risk an agreement that fails to protect Canadian workers and industries. “We’re focused on getting it right, not just getting it done quickly,” LeBlanc said.

Trade between Canada and the United States remains a central pillar of the Canadian economy, particularly in manufacturing and resource sectors across British Columbia and Alberta, where tariff relief could have a significant impact on local industries.