First posted on Instagram
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada will not rush into a trade agreement with the United States that does not serve its interests — and is prepared to wait, even for a new American president, rather than accept a bad deal.
Carney made the remarks in an interview with POLITICO in Montreal on Friday, after the close of a summit between Canada and European Union officials. Asked whether he would hold out for a new president if that was what it took to get an acceptable agreement, he answered: "We'll have to, if that's what it takes." He added that American families and businesses would also lose out in that case: "They're not winners in this circumstance."
The prime minister stressed that Canada is not opposed to a deal. "There's a deal to have with the US. We can do that quickly," he said — but only if the terms are in Canada's interest. "We're not going to do it just for the sake of it," he said, adding that Canada has agency and options, is building its economy at home and deepening partnerships with the European Union.
Trade negotiations between the two countries have made little progress since Canada walked away from talks in August, and both sides have imposed new tariffs this fall. The United States imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, and Canada retaliated dollar for dollar.
Carney also said Canadians are growing tired of what he described as diplomatic provocations from Washington. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa recently circulated a document to reporters alleging "potential interference in U.S. elections" by Canadian government officials — claims Carney has rejected. "I think Canadians are tired of it," he said. "I think that's very clear."
He also criticised the Trump administration's shifting approach to Russia's war in Ukraine, calling it "unhelpful" and pointing to what he called "variance in terms of U.S. actions, with respect to restrictions on, sanctions on Russia, provision of defensive capabilities to Ukraine."
The remarks come days before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3, with the Canada-U.S. trade dispute a live issue in the campaign. Carney pointed to the existing USMCA agreement as the most mutually advantageous deal between the two countries, and said a good deal remains available if Washington is ready for one.