Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Carney Says Canada Ready for Durable, Mutual US Trade Deal
Canada and the United States are arguing about trade and tariffs.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is ready to negotiate a lasting agreement that helps people in both countries.
He said Canada will not accept a deal it believes harms its workers, families or businesses.
Canada recently stopped negotiations because it rejected proposed US terms.
The United States then imposed new tariffs on Canadian goods.
Canada said it would answer with matching tariffs on some US products.
President Donald Trump criticized Canada and said some tariffs will increase in 2027.
Carney said Canada will keep building its own economy and making trade agreements with other countries while remaining open to talks.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is ready to negotiate a durable trade agreement with the United States.
Carney said any deal must protect Canadian workers, families and businesses while also benefiting Americans.
Canada suspended negotiations after rejecting what Carney called unfair and uneconomic US proposals.
The United States imposed new tariffs, while Canada said it would respond with dollar-for-dollar measures.
US President Donald Trump said tariffs on Canadian vehicles and steel imports would rise to 50 percent in January 2027.
- Who
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Canadian government, the United States government and President Donald Trump.
- What
- Canada says it is ready to negotiate a durable trade agreement with the United States after talks were suspended and tariffs increased.
- When
- Carney made the remarks on Thursday, local time; the planned US tariff increase is set for January 2027.
- Where
- The dispute concerns trade between Canada and the United States.
- Why
- Canada rejected proposed US terms that Carney described as unfair and uneconomic, while both countries are seeking to protect their businesses, workers and consumers.
Canada's position
United States' position
Trade agreement terms
Canada's position
Mark Carney said Canada could not accept the US proposal because last-minute changes were unfair, uneconomic and raised concerns about the reliability of a future agreement.
United States' position
The US Trade Representative said Washington had offered sector-specific relief for steel, aluminium, automobiles and lumber, along with cooperation in several other areas, and criticized Canada's suspension of talks.
Tariffs and trade protection
Canada's position
Canada said it would protect workers, farmers, families and businesses by matching new US tariffs dollar-for-dollar.
United States' position
Donald Trump accused Canada of imposing high tariffs on US farmers and agricultural products and said US companies manufacturing in the United States would face zero tariffs.
Negotiating strategy
Canada's position
Carney said Canada remains ready to reach a mutually beneficial deal but will also strengthen its economy and expand trade with countries around the world.
United States' position
Trump argued that the United States did not need Canada to the same extent that Canada relied on the American market.
- Canadian position
- Canada is ready to negotiate a long-term agreement that benefits both countries.
- Negotiations
- Canada suspended talks after rejecting proposed US terms.
- US response
- The United States imposed new tariffs on Canadian imports.
- Canadian response
- Canada said it would match the new US tariffs dollar-for-dollar.
- Potentially targeted goods
- Canadian measures are expected to cover products including steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.
- Planned US tariff increase
- Donald Trump said tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel imports would rise to 50 percent from January 2027.
- VIA Rail announcement
- Carney announced that VIA Rail passenger cars will be built in Canada for the first time in four decades.