Bessent: Trump Wants Canada Back at the Table for Fair Trade Talks
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says President Trump wants Canada to resume trade negotiations in good faith after talks broke down over the weekend.
Washington, Aug 24 — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that President Donald Trump is seeking a return to the negotiating table with Canada, urging Ottawa to engage in good faith after trade discussions collapsed over the weekend.
Speaking to reporters, Bessent framed the administration's position as open to dialogue, even as Trump has threatened to widen tariffs in response to the stalled talks. The remarks come amid heightened uncertainty over the bilateral trade relationship between the two neighbors.
The weekend breakdown marks a fresh escalation in tensions, with the U.S. signaling it is prepared to apply additional economic pressure if a negotiated path forward is not found. Bessent's comments suggest Washington still views a diplomatic resolution as possible, provided Canada shows a willingness to negotiate seriously.
No new talks have been announced, and it remains unclear when or how the two sides might resume discussions. The Treasury Secretary did not provide specifics on the issues that derailed the negotiations or the scope of the threatened tariffs.