Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s criticism that Canada was responsible for the collapse of trade negotiations with the United States.
Speaking at a news conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Carney said US cabinet officials were not necessarily experts on Canadian politics. He stressed that his government would continue defending Canada’s national interests while arguing that a mutually beneficial trade agreement between the two countries remained achievable.
Carney said Canada was prepared to return to negotiations and reach an agreement whenever the United States was ready to resume discussions.
Lutnick had claimed a day earlier on CNBC that Canada had abandoned an almost finalized trade agreement with Washington for political reasons. He also suggested that Canada would adopt a different position once its upcoming by-elections were over.
US President Donald Trump later criticized Carney on social media, warning that portraying him as an enemy could eventually harm Canada’s economy and its political leadership.
The dispute highlights continued tensions between Ottawa and Washington following the breakdown of their recent trade negotiations.
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