Canada, US signal fresh momentum in trade negotiations
AgenciesCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday he had a constructive conversation with US President Donald Trump about a potential trade deal and that negotiators would wo...
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed on Sunday that he spoke constructively with US President Donald Trump about a potential trade agreement. He stated that negotiators would work in the coming weeks towards an agreement, indicating renewed momentum in the trade dispute ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. Carney said the conversation built upon previous discussions about creating jobs, reducing costs for families, and protecting Canada’s culture, language, and sovereignty.
"Our teams will now be working in the coming weeks to deliver that outcome," Carney stated on social media.
This positive outlook contrasts with August, when Canada abandoned negotiations over US demands that Carney claimed threatened Canadian sovereignty, French-language protections, and the auto industry. In response, Trump imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, leading to Canadian retaliation. Since then, talks have resumed, but progress has been uneven.
Last week, Carney reported a slight intensification in negotiations and emphasized that any movement toward a deal was due to Washington moving closer to Canada’s position.
As recently as Wednesday, Carney indicated that the countries were not yet ready to reach an agreement before the midterm elections on Tuesday. The ongoing discussions involve potential relief from US tariffs on Canadian steel and automobiles, though no details of a possible agreement have been released. Trump's trade war with Canada has become a contentious issue in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, especially in states like Michigan and Maine, where Republican candidates face pressure over tariffs affecting local businesses.
Carney's pursuit of new markets has been fueled by the trade war and Trump’s repeated threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state. In response, Canada and the European Union established a new economic and security alliance on Friday, as Carney aims to double Canadian exports outside the United States over the next decade.
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