Carney Says Canada Ready for US Trade Deal

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday that his government was ready to reach a trade agreement with the United States that benefits both countries, provided it offers sufficient stability and credibility.

Carney rejected claims by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that Canada had walked away from a deal for domestic political reasons. He suggested that Washington had recently softened some of its demands, potentially opening the door to renewed negotiations.

Carney described the US position before talks broke down last month as an “our way or the highway” approach. He noted that Washington was no longer pressing some contentious demands involving Canadian language and culture and welcomed the change.

Shortly afterward, US President Donald Trump criticized Carney on Truth Social, saying it was “very good” for Canadian politicians to make him “the enemy”. He warned that Canada’s economy would then collapse.

(Reuters, sab)