Canada Says No Immediate Trade Deal With United States Until Terms Suit Canadians

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters that Ottawa is not yet in a position to sign a trade agreement with the United States, adding that any pact must be "when it suits Canadians." He said the government is seeking "the right deal for Canadians" and will pursue offers that align with both countries' interests, but clarified that the current negotiations do not meet Canada’s bottom lines.

"We think there's deals that are in the best interests of Canada, first and foremost, but also are in the interests of the United States. That's always been the case. We've been consistent," Carney said.

"If those deals present themselves, we will pursue them. But we're not at that position right now," he added.

President Donald Trump recently claimed progress, stating at a rally in Michigan that the United States is ready to give Canada whatever is needed to settle the matter. However, Canadian sources indicated that key elements of the talks remain unresolved and that an agreement is not imminent.

Negotiations collapsed in August, leading Washington to impose steep tariffs on Canadian products and prompting Ottawa to respond with equivalent levies. Carney reiterated that Canada will only sign an agreement that respects its clear red lines, which were rejected in the August proposals, and that a deal becomes more likely only if the United States moves toward accepting those conditions.