Mark Carney acknowledged Thursday that it remains unclear whether Canada and the United States will reach a trade agreement before Donald Trump's threatened 50 per cent tariffs take effect on August 19. Speaking to reporters in Quebec, the prime minister said Ottawa is pursuing a comprehensive agreement covering steel, aluminum, forestry and automobile sectors rather than a narrow sector-by-sector arrangement.
"Will we get all of that by the 19th of August? We'll see. But we want to have pathways in order to get that," Carney said. He described the negotiations as difficult but framed them as a fight for Canadian jobs and the future of Canadian enterprises.
Negotiations continue in Washington
Hours after Carney's remarks, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirmed he and chief trade negotiator Janice Charette held what he called a constructive and detailed meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington. The session marked LeBlanc's second trip to the American capital since Trump issued the latest tariff threat last month.
"Our focus has been and will continue to be on striking a comprehensive deal that addresses sectoral tariffs and benefits Canadian workers, farmers and businesses," LeBlanc posted on social media platform X.
The talks follow Trump's executive orders last month citing three justifications for the pending tariffs: provincial boycotts of American alcohol products, Canada's retaliatory tariffs on U.S. vehicles and auto parts, and quotas on American dairy imports under Canada's supply management system.
Political pressure mounts
Trump escalated rhetoric at a Las Vegas event Wednesday, calling Canada "nasty" and criticizing its leadership. Carney responded Thursday that the adjective matters less than the substance. "For Canada it's a question of Canadian jobs, it's a question of the future of Canadian enterprises," he said.
On supply management, Carney reiterated his government's commitment to the system, saying it stabilizes prices for consumers and protects small farms. He has left decisions on the provincial alcohol boycotts to the premiers. Doug Ford in Ontario and David Eby in British Columbia have both said they will not back down and have urged retaliatory measures including dollar-for-dollar tariffs and threats to withhold energy and critical mineral exports.
At a premiers' meeting last month, Carney said retaliation remains an option but declined to specify the full range of measures, noting some would require provincial and territorial approval.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney in St. John's for failing to secure a deal, noting the prime minister had previously promised an agreement by July 21, 2025. Poilievre argued the government made concessions, including dropping the digital services tax, increasing military spending and removing counter-tariffs, without securing reciprocal commitments at the bargaining table.
Based on reporting by Global News.