In brief
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney remains unhurried in resuming trade discussions with the US, declaring there are no pressing issues to address. Critics voice concerns over his slow approach amidst stalled negotiations due to US tariffs affecting Canadian exports. Canada plans to offer financial relief for those impacted while eyeing increased exports beyond the US border, signaling a potential pivot in their trade strategy.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney appears in no rush to resume trade talks with the US. He dismissed a question over the weekend about when he last spoke to US President Donald Trump, responding: Who cares? It's a detail. I'll speak to him again when it matters. Carney added that, in his view, there is no 'burning issue' to raise with his US counterpart. The prime minister has faced criticism for his apparent lack of urgency, which raises the question about whether Canada is shifting its approach to trade talks with the US.Still, Carney is considering travelling to Washington next week for the Fifa World Cup draw. Canada is a host country of the international tournament next year, along with Mexico and the US. Sources have told Canadian media that Carney and Trump could take the opportunity to meet, though nothing firm has been announced. This is one of those negotiations where there's a great deal of posturing on both sides, said Chris Sands, director of the Center for Canadian Studies at Johns Hopkins University.Despite the pause, Canadian representatives are still advocating on the country's behalf with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The Carney government has signaled it will offer financial relief to sectors impacted by US tariffs as they weather the trade storm. With the US midterm elections and a review of a long-standing free trade agreement on the horizon for 2026, some hope that a resolution might be on the way.
