Carney Says Negotiators Will Move Fast on US Trade Deal
The Canadian leader announced progress after a call with Trump, shifting from a stalled dispute that imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion in goods.
By Justin Brooks ·
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Sunday that he and U.S. President Donald Trump held a constructive conversation regarding a trade agreement. Carney stated that his teams will work over the next few weeks to finalize an outcome. This statement reverses his position from earlier in the week, when he said the two nations were not ready to sign a deal before Tuesday’s midterm elections.
The dispute originated in August when Canada withdrew from negotiations. Carney rejected U.S. demands that he argued threatened Canadian sovereignty, French-language protections, and the auto industry. In response, Trump applied 50% tariffs to approximately $20 billion in Canadian goods. Canada retaliated with its own trade measures. While talks resumed later, Carney described the progress as uneven until last week.
Carney said recent discussions focused on a deal structure that would create jobs, lower costs for families, and preserve Canada’s cultural and linguistic identity. He noted that Washington is moving closer to Canada’s position on key issues. The two sides are discussing potential relief on U.S. tariffs for Canadian steel and automobiles, though specific details remain unannounced. Carney wrote on social media that his teams are now working to deliver the agreed-upon outcome.
The timing of the announcement places pressure on U.S. candidates in Michigan and Maine. In these states, local businesses have reported financial losses due to the tariffs. Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan has called for an end to the tariff war. The trade conflict has become a central topic in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Republican candidates face questions from voters about the impact of the tariffs on their local economies.
The dispute also influenced Canada’s foreign policy. Carney sought new trade partners to reduce reliance on the U.S. market. On Friday, Canada and the European Union launched a new economic and security alliance. Carney aims to double Canadian exports outside the United States over the next decade. The new alliance provides a framework for these expanded trade relationships. Carney’s goal is to diversify Canada’s economic base while continuing to negotiate with Washington.
Source: WRAZ
