Canada's Trade Standoff: Are Talks With the US Dwindling?

Thu Nov 27 2025 19:33:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Prime Minister Mark Carney remains nonchalant as trade discussions with the US stall, raising concerns about Canada's strategy in navigating trade tensions while aiming for broader international outreach.

As the trade war with the US lingers, Prime Minister Mark Carney's apparent indifference to resuming negotiations has led to scrutiny of Canada's position. While some suggest that maintaining a level of nonchalance could be strategic, challenges loom as both countries face pressing economic realities. With significant tariffs in place and impending US midterm elections, the future of trade relations remains uncertain.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney appears in no rush to resume trade talks with the US.

He dismissed a question over the weekend about when he last spoke to US President Donald Trump, responding: Who cares? It's a detail. I'll speak to him again when it matters.

Carney added that, in his view, there is no burning issue to raise with his US counterpart.

The prime minister has faced criticism for his apparent lack of urgency, which raises the question about whether Canada is shifting its approach to trade talks with the US.

'Great deal of posturing'

Still, Carney is considering travelling to Washington next week for the FIFA World Cup draw. Canada serves as a host country for the tournament next year, along with Mexico and the US.

Sources have indicated that Carney and Trump could take the opportunity to meet, although no official announcement has been made.

This is one of those negotiations where there's a great deal of posturing on both sides, remarked Chris Sands, director at the Center for Canadian Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Trump doesn't want to look like he needs a deal too badly. Carney doesn't want to appear desperate either, and so they kind of play each other out trying to look nonchalant. But of course, there's money on the table, and there's a lot to be negotiated.

Talks between the two nations stalled last month after Trump expressed displeasure at an anti-tariff advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan, which was commissioned by the province of Ontario and aired in the US.

Prior to that, Carney claimed he and Trump communicated regularly, mentioning to Toronto Life magazine that Trump texts using “a lot of caps. And exclamation marks. And there is no time limit—there is a 24/7 element to it.

Despite the standstill, Canadian representatives are still advocating on the country’s behalf with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill, according to Richard Madan, the trade representative for Manitoba.

Madan stated, however, that trade talks have not formally progressed past that point.

Tariff Relief Measures

The Carney administration has indicated plans to offer financial relief to sectors affected by US tariffs as they weather the trade storm.

This relief is particularly important for Canada's aluminium producers, who have had to bear initial tariff-related costs to meet contractual obligations with US customers.

Jean Simard, CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada, mentioned that American stockpiles are depleting, leading to potential domestic issues in the US. Time is on our side and pain is on their side, he stated.

Although Carney is encountering pressure to reach a resolution swiftly, some believe that delaying tactics may prove beneficial in the long run.

The looming US midterm elections and a review of the trilateral free trade agreement in 2026 have sparked hopes that renewed negotiations might occur soon, as businesses push for a continuation of free trade.