Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described new US tariffs as a 'miscalculation' after trade talks between the two countries collapsed, saying Canada walked away to protect its sovereignty.
Key facts
- Prime Minister Mark Carney called President Trump's fresh tariffs a 'miscalculation'.
- Carney said Canada walked away from the negotiation table to protect its sovereignty.
- The remarks came in a speech on Saturday morning.
- Trade talks between Canada and the United States collapsed.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has described fresh tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump as a ‘miscalculation’, following the collapse of trade talks between the two countries, according to the BBC.
In a speech delivered on Saturday morning, Carney said Canada had walked away from the negotiation table in order to protect its sovereignty. The comments mark a public assessment of where relations between the two neighbours stand after the breakdown of discussions.
The BBC reported Carney’s characterisation of the tariffs as a ‘miscalculation’, signalling the Canadian government’s view that the measures were a misstep in the ongoing dispute between the two economies.
Carney framed Canada’s decision to leave the talks as one rooted in the defence of national sovereignty, rather than as an ordinary disagreement over trade terms.
The developments underscore continuing tension between the two governments over trade, though further details of the negotiations and the scope of the new tariffs were not provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
The United States and Canada are among each other's largest trading partners, so a breakdown in talks and new tariffs can affect businesses and consumers on both sides of the border. Carney's framing of the dispute around sovereignty signals that the disagreement extends beyond routine trade negotiations.
Frequently asked questions
What did Mark Carney say about the tariffs?
According to the BBC, Carney called President Trump's fresh tariffs a 'miscalculation' in a speech on Saturday morning.
Why did Canada leave the trade talks?
Carney said Canada walked away from the negotiation table to protect its sovereignty.
When did Carney make these remarks?
He made the comments in a speech on Saturday morning.