Canada Seeks to Restart US Trade Talks as PM Prepares for Xi Meeting

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated he is prepared to resume negotiations with the United States. This announcement comes after Washington imposed new tariffs on Canadian goods. The comments were made on Monday at a regional summit in Malaysia.

Prime Minister Carney expressed a clear desire to re-engage with the US administration. He emphasized that Canada stands ready to talk whenever the US is willing. According to Reuters, Carney confirmed he had no direct contact with the US president during the summit.

US-Canada Trade Talks Face New Hurdles

The trade relationship has been strained by recent US actions. Washington hiked tariffs on Canadian goods by an additional ten percent. This move impacts key sectors like steel, aluminum, and automobiles.

These tariffs have already forced job losses in Canada. They are also squeezing many Canadian businesses. Prime Minister Carney noted that considerable progress had been made on a trade supplement before the dispute.

Diplomatic Moves and a Scheduled Meeting with China

While US talks are stalled, Carney’s diplomatic agenda remains full. He confirmed he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week. Their discussion will cover the commercial relationship between their two nations.

The meeting is set for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. Talks will also address the evolution of the global economic system. This engagement occurs alongside the ongoing tensions with the United States.

The path forward for US-Canada relations remains uncertain, but Canada’s leadership is actively pursuing dialogue on multiple fronts to stabilize its trade partnerships.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: Why did the US hike tariffs on Canada?

The US imposed an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods. The decision followed a dispute over a Canadian provincial advertisement. The US president termed the ad campaign “fake”.

Q2: What did the Canadian Prime Minister say about talks?

Prime Minister Carney said Canada is ready to sit down with the US. He stated this readiness applies to himself with the president and their respective colleagues. The ball is now in the US court.

Q3: Where is the PM meeting the Chinese President?

The meeting with President Xi Jinping is scheduled in South Korea. It will take place on the sidelines of an APEC summit. Their talks will focus on commercial ties.

Q4: Which Canadian industries are most affected?

The steel, aluminum, and automobile sectors are hit hard. The tariffs have directly led to job losses. They are also creating significant pressure on businesses.

Q5: What was the advertisement dispute about?

The province of Ontario ran an ad using a quote from Ronald Reagan. It warned about the dangers of high tariffs and trade wars. The Ronald Reagan foundation objected to its use.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, Associated Press