Prime Minister Mark Carney has addressed comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump that a trade deal could be reached “fairly soon,” saying that Canada is “ready to sit down and negotiate.”
Carney was questioned during a recent interview about Trump’s weekend comments that Canada wants to reach a deal with the United States “very badly.” The president suggested an agreement could come “fairly soon,” but that it would be contingent upon Ottawa’s willingness to address his concerns about agricultural trade.
Carney told Bloomberg that he still believes there is a “mutually advantageous agreement that’s possible” between his country and the United States—a statement he has reiterated throughout the 18-month trade dispute. He also emphasized that any future negotiations must respect national sovereignty and cultural protections while maintaining independent trade policies. …