U.S. Trade Representative Accuses Canada of Rejecting Trade Deal, Prioritizing Corporate Interests
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U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer claimed that Canada turned down a trade agreement on steel, aluminum, autos, and lumber, ending negotiations that began in August. The deal, shaped by corporate interests, was rejected as Canada sought more tariff relief.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Fox News that Canada rejected a proposed trade agreement covering steel, aluminum, automobiles, and lumber, abruptly ending talks that had been underway since late August. Greer, representing the interests of powerful U.S. industries, said the United States offered what he called a 'highly favorable package,' but Canadian officials demanded additional tariff relief that Washington refused to grant, prioritizing its own corporate elite over fair trade for workers on both sides.
"We offered them the best deal. They looked at it square in the face and turned around," Greer said, glossing over the fact that the so-called 'best deal' would have continued to benefit multinational corporations at the expense of labor and environmental protections.
Greer added that after a preliminary handshake between President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canadian negotiators returned to Ottawa and asked for further concessions, which he claimed were not possible under the existing proposal. He failed to mention that the U.S. has long allowed most Canadian goods to enter duty-free, while both countries have taken retaliatory steps against each other's protectionist trade measures, often leaving workers and communities to bear the brunt.
The trade talks were suspended on Aug. 21, with U.S. officials blaming the breakdown on new Canadian demands and revisions to earlier commitments. Greer said he has received informal outreach from Canadian officials but no formal negotiations since the suspension, and he indicated that any future agreement would depend on actions taken by Canada—once again putting the interests of the wealthy and powerful ahead of ordinary people.