Carney says Canada welcomes ‘any moves’ to restore free trade after U.S. midterms

OTTAWA — Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed his government's readiness to welcome "any moves" aimed at re-establishing free trade with the United States. Following the U.S. midterm elections, which handed Democrats control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, several party officials have signaled that lifting tariffs on Canadian goods is a top priority.

Ahead of the elections, some Republican candidates even defied President Donald Trump's trade war stance against Canada, including failed Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

During a press conference on Friday, Carney did not disclose any conversations he had had with Democrats regarding legislation to terminate the tariffs. He emphasized that a free trade agreement benefits both Canadians and Americans, and his government remains committed to collaborating with Washington to achieve a mutually advantageous deal.

Conservative MP Jamil Jivani, who has visited Washington in efforts to advance Canada-U.S. trade negotiations, acknowledged that the trade war remains a significant distraction from domestic matters. This report by The Canadian Press was initially published on November 6, 2026.