The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has defended the government's decision to drop many of its retaliatory measures against the U.S. The Globe's Nojoud Al Mallees and Mark Rendell write that Mr. LeBlanc told Radio-Canada that when Ottawa decided in February to impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., it was under the impression that other allies were going to follow suit. "But we realized that not a single country other than China went in this direction," he added. Canada imposed three rounds of countertariffs earlier this year covering nearly $100-billion worth of U.S. goods. However, it soon started adjusting the measures, offering carve-outs for U.S. goods used in Canadian manufacturing, and exemptions for U.S. carmakers that continue making cars in Canada. Ottawa's pivot on Friday was welcomed by the aluminum and auto industries. "This gets us moving forward again after it appeared as though discussions had slowed or stalled," said Brian Kingston at the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association. Carmakers are still pushing for the complete removal of tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles, which stand at 25 per cent, with a carve-out for U.S. auto parts.