Carney dismisses U.S. officials' explanation for failed trade talks

Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected recent comments from U.S. cabinet officials who said Canada walked away from trade negotiations for political reasons. Speaking in Thunder Bay, Ont., he said those officials were not experts on Canadian politics and repeated that Ottawa left the talks after the United States added lastminute changes Canada saw as unfair. Carney said the disputed U.S. proposals would have limited Canada’s ability to make trade deals with other countries, weakened protections for French language and culture, and harmed the auto industry over time. He said Canada is willing to return to the table only if any future agreement is durable and respects Canada’s red lines. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer offered different accounts of why the talks collapsed, while U.S. President Donald Trump accused Canadian leaders of making him the villain for political gain. Carney said any renewed deal must work for both countries and reflect the integrated nature of the auto sector across the border.