Canada’s prime minister says the US does not get to dictate terms for a trade agreement
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday that Washington cannot dictate the terms of a deal known as the Intercontinental Trade Agreement. United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCAHe cites obstacles to reviewing the agreement in July.
The agreement, which dates back to the early 1990s, intertwined the economies of three North American countries but has faced blows from U.S. President Donald Trump’s ever-changing tariff policy.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney said it would “take some time” to fine-tune the final version of the deal.
“We understand what some Americans call trade nuisances or trade issues,” Carney said. Trade irritants are policies that create friction and disputes in international trade.
“There are people on our side, too,” he added. “We will sit down and discuss these issues with a broader approach in the negotiations.”
Carney also said, “This is not a situation where the United States dictates the terms. We have negotiations. We can come to a mutually successful conclusion.” he said. “It will take some time.”
Carney’s comments came after Radio-Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.’s French-language service, reported that American officials were imposing a “no-go” policy on trade talks with Canada and demanding concessions before negotiations begin.
When asked about the radio report, Carney said that with any negativity, “people want concessions.” “We have strengths, we have options. We are diversifying our options.”
Last week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attacked Canada’s approach to trade talks, claiming that Canada relies on the U.S. economy and that it is “outrageous” for Canadian provinces to keep American liquor off their shelves.
He also criticized Carney for striking a deal with China that would reduce the 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles to 6.1% with an annual limit of 49,000 vehicles. In response, China is expected to reduce retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural products.
A recent report by the Office of the United States Trade Representative cited the refusal of some Canadian provinces to stock American alcohol and the imposition of high tariffs on some American dairy products as trade irritants.
Carney vows to protect Canada’s milk, poultry and egg production in free trade talks with US
The United States also opposes the “Buy Canadian” policy, which prioritizes Canadian products and workers on projects valued at more than C$25 million, or about $18 million.
Carney was asked whether it was unacceptable that the United States had not yet put anything on the negotiating table.
In a 10-minute video released Sunday, Carney said Canada’s strong economic ties with the United States were once strong but have now become a weakness that must be fixed. He said Trump’s tariffs are affecting workers in the auto and steel industries.
He also talked about his government’s efforts to strengthen Canada’s economy by attracting new investments and signing trade agreements with other countries.
