Carney Calls for Serious Trade Talks as Canada-US Tensions Rise

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused the United States of taking an unnecessarily combative approach to trade negotiations, telling Americans to “stop trying to be tough” as the two countries remain at odds over tariffs and automobile trade.

While speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Monday, Carney said, according to Fox News, that negotiations could resume if the U.S. changed its approach.

“When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions,” Carney said.

“Look, it's not constructive, but that's their democracy,” he added.

The comments came after Canada suspended trade negotiations on Aug. 21.

Following the move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order changing the name of Lake Ontario, which borders New York and Ontario, to Lake America.

Carney said Canada’s concerns go beyond tariffs, pointing to U.S. demands involving trade agreements, Canadian sovereignty, and the future of key industries.

He also rejected the idea that Canada should accept terms that could leave major Canadian industries operating as effective subsidiaries of U.S. companies or gradually shrinking within Canada.

The dispute has also drawn criticism from Trump. After Canada halted negotiations, Trump accused the country of seeking “the benefits of being a State, without being one!!!” He also accused Canada of taking advantage of the U.S. by imposing tariffs on American farmers.

Carney said the U.S. demand for influence over Canada’s future trade relationships was unacceptable. He also argued that the North American auto industry depends on cooperation among the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“The United States auto industry is made stronger by the Canadian and the Mexican auto industries,” Carney said, adding that a mutually beneficial agreement remains possible.

“There were elements of that mutually beneficial deal that we were moving towards,” he said. “At some point, maybe it'll converge again.”

Carney warned lawmakers that relations with the U.S. would not “go back to normal any time soon,” describing the current situation as “a new normal that we have to get adjusted to.”

Canada has also imposed matching tariffs on U.S. goods including steel and lumber, with the new measures scheduled to take effect Sept. 8.

White House spokesman Kush Desai defended the administration’s position, saying Canada rejected what Washington considered a generous trade offer and that President Donald Trump’s administration would continue prioritizing American workers, farmers and businesses.

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