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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada remains prepared to reach a trade agreement with the United States, provided the deal delivers benefits for workers, businesses and consumers in both countries and is built on stability and credibility.
Speaking to reporters in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Carney said Canada would be willing to return to negotiations when Washington is ready to pursue an agreement that serves the interests of both economies.
“The deal that’s possible, that’s in the interests of Canadian workers, families and businesses, is also the deal that is in the interests of American families, American businesses, American consumers,” Carney said.
He added that Canada was ready to “sit down and strike that deal” once the United States was prepared to resume discussions.
Carney rejects US claims over stalled negotiations
Carney also pushed back against recent comments from US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who suggested that Canada had abandoned a potential trade agreement because of domestic political considerations.
Responding to the claims, Carney questioned the authority of unelected US cabinet officials to assess Canada’s political environment.
“I don’t think, with all respect, appointed, unelected cabinet members in the United States are experts on Canadian politics,” he said.
The Canadian prime minister’s comments come after trade discussions between the two countries broke down last month, with several issues remaining unresolved.
Canada sees shift in US negotiating position
According to Carney, Washington’s position on some of the disputed issues appears to have softened since negotiations stalled, potentially creating room for the two sides to restart talks.
He said the United States had maintained a firm position on several matters until the final stages of the negotiations, describing the approach as essentially an “our way or the highway” stance.
Carney pointed to issues involving Canadian language and culture as examples of areas where the US position appeared to have changed.
“Now, they’re not,” he said, suggesting that the change could make renewed discussions possible.
Carney also questioned why those issues had remained part of the negotiating framework if Washington no longer considered them important.
“If they didn’t care, they shouldn’t have kept them in the deal,” he said, adding that Canada welcomed the apparent change in position.
Trump warns of consequences for Canada
The comments came amid renewed political tension between Ottawa and Washington.
Shortly after Carney’s remarks, US President Donald Trump criticised Canadian politicians on his Truth Social platform, accusing them of portraying him as an enemy.
Trump warned that such an approach could have serious consequences for Canada’s economy and political leadership.
The exchange highlights the political sensitivities surrounding the trade relationship between the two countries as both governments weigh the economic and political implications of any new agreement.
Trade stability remains key to Canada-US relations
For Canada, any future agreement will need to provide sufficient certainty for businesses and consumers while maintaining access to the US market, a critical component of the Canadian economy.
Carney’s comments suggest Ottawa remains open to negotiations but is seeking a deal that can command confidence on both sides of the border.
The prospect of renewed talks will depend on whether Canada and the United States can narrow their remaining differences and establish a framework that both governments consider credible and sustainable.
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