The National Post reports in its Thursday, Aug. 13, edition that Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump have agreed to "intensify" trade discussions. The Post's Jordan Gowling writes that two sources say Canada made it clear to the United States last week that if the tariffs were to go forward on Aug. 19, it will be difficult for Canada to make a deal. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic Leblanc and Chief Trade Negotiator Janice Charette have been in Washington for trade talks for the last three weeks. The two met with Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for the third straight time on Tuesday. Mr. Leblanc said, "Discussions remain ongoing, and we continue to engage at the negotiation table to firmly advance and defend Canadian interests." In addition to avoiding the Section 338 tariffs, Canadian negotiators are looking for relief on Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and lumber. In return, Canada is willing to provide concessions on provincial U.S. alcohol bans and counter tariffs and quotas on American autos, irritants that were cited as the reason for the President's latest tariff threat. Ottawa's willingness to provide concessions in the current trade talks has been a point of criticism.