Carney ready to resume US-Canada trade talks
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TORONTO: Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Friday that Canada stands ready to resume trade talks with the United States that President Donald Trump halted over an anti-tariff advertisement issued by Ontario’s provincial government.
Trump terminated the talks on Thursday over the video which used Republican icon, former President Ronald Reagan, saying tariffs cause trade wars and economic disaster.
Carney has tried on two White House visits since becoming prime minister to strike a deal to lower import tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos imposed by Trump that have hurt Canada’s economy.
Despite Carney’s overture to revive U.S. talks, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he ordered the ads to keep running during the weekend’s baseball World Series games between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers to reach a bigger U.S. audience.
“In speaking with Prime Minister Carney, Ontario will pause its U.S. advertising campaign effective Monday so that trade talks can resume,” said Ford, who has previously clashed with Trump administration officials over tariffs.
“My colleagues have been working with their American colleagues on detailed constructive negotiations, discussions on specific sectors,” Carney said before departing Ottawa for his first official visit to Asia, where he aims to diversify trade ties away from the United States.
Carney had removed most of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports imposed by his predecessor, but White House adviser Kevin Hassett said Trump was frustrated with Canada and trade talks have not been going well.
“I think the frustration has built up over time,” Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told reporters at the White House. “The Canadians have been very difficult to negotiate with.”
In a separate post on Friday, Trump accused Canada of trying to influence the U.S. Supreme Court as it prepares to hear arguments next month over the legality of Trump’s sweeping global tariffs.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation said the ad used “selective audio and video.” It said it was examining legal options. Courtesy Reuters
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