Canadian PM expects 'constructive' trade talks with US
Mark Carney is expected to speak to Donald Trump in the coming days over Washington's 35 percent tariffs on Canada, an official says. Photo: Reuters
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed optimism that negotiations with the United States on trade would lead to 'something constructive'.
Carney made the comments while visiting the Vancouver Pride Parade, while also insisting that 'Canada is strong' and would continue building on its own.
'We can give ourselves far more than anyone can take away,' he said.
The federal cabinet minister in charge of US-Canada trade, meanwhile, said Carney and US President Donald Trump will likely talk in the coming days after the Washington imposed a 35 percent tariff on goods not covered by the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.
Dominic LeBlanc also told CBS News' "Face the Nation" that he was "encouraged" by recent discussions and believed a deal to bring down tariffs remained an option.
"We're encouraged by the conversations with Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer, but we're not yet where we need to go to get the deal that's in the best interest of the two economies," LeBlanc said, referring to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
The trade minister said he expected Carney and Trump to speak "over the next number of days."
"We think there is an option of striking a deal that will bring down some of these tariffs provide greater certainty to investment," LeBlanc said.
Washington linked Friday's tariff announcement in part to what it said was Canada's failure to stop fentanyl smuggling. It was the latest blow in a months-long tariff war which Trump initiated shortly after returning to power this year.
Carney says Canada accounts for just 1 percent of US fentanyl imports and has been working intensively to further reduce the volumes. (Reuters)
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