Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said the United States must adopt a more serious approach before talks on a possible trade deal can resume, as tensions between Ottawa and Washington continue to mount.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Mr Carney said Canada remained open to an agreement that respected its sovereignty and delivered benefits for both countries.
“When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions,” he said.
The remarks followed the collapse of negotiations on August 21, when Canada withdrew from discussions aimed at avoiding further US tariffs. Ottawa said at the time that Washington had introduced unacceptable demands at the last minute.
Mr Carney said the recent conduct of the US administration had not been constructive, but insisted there was still scope for a mutually beneficial arrangement between the two neighbours.
He also raised concerns about the future of Canada’s closely integrated automotive industry, saying Ottawa had never believed the terms proposed by Washington would provide an adequate basis for a deal.
“The attitude of the United States … has been one that the core Canadian industries either would be subsidiaries, effectively, of the United States industries, or (Washington) would put in place terms where those industries would be gradually wound down in Canada and wiped out,” he said.
“Of course, we’re not going to accept those terms.”
The Canadian prime minister’s comments came after a series of increasingly hostile public statements from US President Donald Trump, including criticism of Canada’s leaders and online posts mocking the country. Ottawa has continued to signal that it is prepared to negotiate, but not at the expense of key industries or Canadian sovereignty.
