Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is ready to negotiate a trade agreement with the United States that benefits both countries, but insists any deal must provide stability and credibility.
Speaking to reporters in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Carney said an agreement that serves the interests of Canadian workers, families and businesses would also benefit American workers, consumers and businesses. He added that Canada is prepared to resume negotiations when the United States is ready.
Carney also rejected recent claims by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that Canada abandoned a potential trade agreement because of domestic political considerations.
“I don’t think, with all respect, appointed, unelected cabinet members in the United States are experts on Canadian politics,” Carney said in response to a question about the comments.
The Canadian prime minister suggested that the U.S. position on some of the issues that contributed to the breakdown in talks last month had softened, potentially creating room for renewed negotiations.
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“There were a few issues that the United States was arguing right up to the last hour,” Carney said, describing the approach at the time as “our way or the highway.”
He said the United States was no longer pressing some of those demands, including issues related to Canadian language and culture.
“Now, they’re not,” Carney said. “So all of a sudden, they don’t care about Canadian language or culture and those elements. Well, if they didn’t care, they shouldn’t have kept them in the deal.” Carney welcomed the apparent change in position, saying it could help pave the way for further discussions.
Shortly after Carney’s remarks, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Canadian prime minister in a post on Truth Social, saying it was “very good for Canadian politicians like Prime Minister Mark Carney to make President Donald J. Trump ‘the enemy.’”
Trump also warned that Canada’s economy could collapse, saying it would be “worse than anything that has ever happened to a Canadian politician.”
REUTERS
