Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Canadian Premier Attacks Trump As Trade Deal Nears
Canada and the United States are trying to make a new trade deal.
The United States has threatened to put very high taxes on some Canadian goods.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew criticized President Donald Trump and said Canada should not trust him completely.
Kinew believes Canada has bargaining power and should keep fighting for a better agreement.
Prime Minister Mark Carney asked provinces to allow American alcohol back in their stores.
The premiers agreed to take that step, although some have not publicly confirmed it.
Kinew said Manitoba might cooperate but encouraged Canadians to buy Canadian products instead.
Canadian and American officials said they were close to an agreement, but its full details have not been released.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called Donald Trump erratic, irresponsible and “not to be trusted.”
Kinew urged Canada to maintain pressure in trade talks rather than rush into concessions.
Federal minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada and the United States were close to finalizing an agreement.
Canada’s premiers agreed to restore US alcohol sales, a step sought by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Tariffs on about C$20 billion of Canadian imports were postponed until 12:01 a.m. Saturday, while full deal terms remain undisclosed.
- Who
- Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Prime Minister Mark Carney, federal trade minister Dominic LeBlanc and US President Donald Trump are central figures; Canadian premiers are also involved.
- What
- Canada and the United States are negotiating a trade agreement while Canada considers restoring US alcohol sales and other measures sought by Washington.
- When
- The statements were made Thursday; tariffs on about C$20 billion of Canadian imports were postponed until 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
- Where
- The negotiations involve Canada and the United States, with Canadian officials continuing discussions in Washington.
- Why
- The countries are seeking an agreement that would avert threatened 50% US tariffs, while restrictions on US alcohol and other provincial measures have become negotiating issues.
Maintain Pressure
Make Concessions
Negotiating strategy
Maintain Pressure
Wab Kinew said Canada should keep fighting because he believes it has the upper hand and that Trump may retreat from high tariffs.
Make Concessions
Mark Carney’s approach, supported publicly by several premiers, involves taking steps such as restoring US alcohol sales to help secure an agreement.
US alcohol sales
Maintain Pressure
Kinew criticized the concession and said Canadians should leave American alcohol on store shelves and spend their money on Canadian products.
Make Concessions
Carney urged provinces to return US alcohol to stores because the restriction has been an irritant for the Trump administration and is part of the negotiations.
Confidence in the agreement
Maintain Pressure
Kinew warned that a deal with Trump could later be undone because he considers the president unreliable.
Make Concessions
LeBlanc said the countries were making progress and were very close to an agreement, while Trump described the emerging deal as very fair to both sides.
- Trade talks
- Dominic LeBlanc said Canada and the United States were close to finalizing an agreement.
- Threatened tariffs
- The United States threatened 50% tariffs, while tariffs on about C$20 billion of Canadian imports were postponed until 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
- Canadian position
- Wab Kinew said Canada had leverage and urged the country not to rush into concessions.
- Alcohol restrictions
- Eight of Canada’s 10 provinces restrict or ban US alcohol.
- Requested provincial action
- Mark Carney urged provinces to restore US alcohol sales as part of a Team Canada approach.
- Ontario alcohol sales
- The LCBO sold nearly C$1 billion worth of US products annually before removing them from shelves last year.
- Deal details
- Neither Canada nor the United States has released the full terms of the emerging agreement.