Canada Signals Openness to Talks If US Shows 'Right Attitude'
Canada's PM says talks with the US are possible if Washington adopts a cooperative stance, after Trump threatened 50% tariffs on cars and steel.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday that Ottawa is willing to return to the negotiating table with the United States, but only if Washington demonstrates the "right attitude" and treats Canada as a genuine partner.
"When the Americans go to the negotiating table first, with the right attitude toward our industries and in a true partnership, of course we'll come to the negotiating table," Carney said.
The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Canadian cars, automotive parts, and steel to 50 percent, effective January 1, 2027. Trump made the announcement in a social media post, accusing Canada of taking advantage of the U.S. for years and stating, "We don't need Canada, they need us."
Carney rejected that framing, saying he would not accept the notion that "Canada is a subsidiary of the United States." He also dismissed the latest tariff threats as unsurprising, arguing that Washington is using unfair terms to dismantle Canada's automotive, steel, and aluminum industries.
Talks between the two countries broke down on Friday, with the U.S. currently imposing a 25 percent tariff on Canadian cars and a 50 percent tariff on steel imports. Trump blamed Canada for the collapse, citing alleged discriminatory treatment of U.S. alcohol, cars, and dairy products.
Beyond the immediate tariff dispute, the two nations must also negotiate revisions to the USMCA free trade agreement, which Trump has refused to renew in its current form.