Carney to speak as U.S.-Canada trade talks fall apart, 50% tariffs hit

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to address the media on Saturday morning, marking his first public comments since Canada's trade talks with the United States broke down and the U.S. implemented 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods. Carney is scheduled to meet with provincial and territorial premiers at 1:30 p.m. The tariffs were initially slated to begin on Wednesday, but were delayed by three days by President Donald Trump to extend trade discussions.

While Trump claimed the two countries had reached an agreement, Canadian officials expressed skepticism, citing unresolved legal issues.

On Friday, Carney announced Canada's suspension of trade negotiations and the recall of its negotiating team to Ottawa, citing the inappropriateness of last-minute U.S. position changes and the perceived unreliability of any agreement. Canada pledged to impose equivalent tariffs and provide additional support to affected businesses and workers. U.S. Trade Representative Jamie Spaniolo accused Canada of sabotaging the talks, stating it refused to finalize a deal based on earlier agreements.

Canadian premiers rallied behind Carney's strategy, with British Columbia's David Eby advocating for a robust response and Ontario Premier Doug Ford sending a letter to the prime minister advocating for a "dollar-for-dollar, tariff-for-tariff response and the continuation of existing countermeasures." Carney had previously requested premiers to import American alcohol, a move that could have benefited Canadian liquor stores, but was abandoned as talks unraveled.