Carney and Trump ‘negotiating' towards possible ‘positive' deal: U.S. envoy
Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump are having direct talks toward what could be a new trade deal, the U.S. ambassador to Canada said Wednesday, but quickly added he's 'not confirming or denying' that any agreement is done.
'All the indications are that we could move toward a very positive agreement,' Ambassador Pete Hoekstra said of the negotiations during a fireside chat with Global News' Mercedes Stephenson at the Canadian Club of Ottawa.
'Until a deal is announced, we won't know what's in it and we won't know if it's finalized.'
Before sitting down with Stephenson, Hoekstra appeared to confirm a CBC News report that said a working document has been exchanged between Ottawa and Washington outlining the potential deal's terms. The report did not say what those terms were.
Yet he later said 'I'm not confirming or denying anything' when pressed on whether the report was accurate.
Story continues below advertisement
'You got a prime minister who's negotiating on the best interests of Canada, you've got a president who's negotiating on getting the best deal for the United States of America,' Hoekstra told the crowd.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Carney has made securing a new deal with the U.S. on trade, security and other bilateral issues a top priority of his new Liberal government, after Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods and multiple industries including the auto, steel and aluminum sectors.
The Globe and Mail was the first to report last week that Carney was engaging in direct behind-the-scenes trade discussions with Trump.
After Stephenson said there have been 'extensive talks' between Carney and Trump, Hoekstra jokingly whispered, 'Shh — some people said those were secret.'
'Somebody came back and said those were secret talks, and it's like, I don't know how those would be secret,' he said. 'I'd hate to see if it was wide open and transparent.'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said last Thursday that the two leaders were in 'deep, deep discussions' on trade and were 'working hard around the clock to try to get a deal.'
Industry Minister Melanie Joly would not confirm the discussions were taking place when asked by reporters in Ottawa later that same day.
'Guys, do you really think I'll answer that question?' she responded. 'I won't answer that question. We won't negotiate in public and we'll let the prime minister do his work.'
Story continues below advertisement
She had also said in French that there were 'diplomatic discussions' happening between Carney and Trump, but characterized them as separate from the trade and security negotiations taking place between members of the Trump administration and key Canadian cabinet ministers.
More to come…
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Calgary Herald
21 minutes ago
- Calgary Herald
'War is coming': Canadian, other G7 leaders need to grapple with imminent threats, say experts
Article content Article content While the panelists didn't expect Canada to adopt nuclear weapons, it does have to considerably step up its investment in conventional forces. Article content 'We naively assumed we could become consumers of other people's (military capability) but we have to take much more interest in the resilience of our national industries and defence is part of that,' said Norman. Article content That two per cent number for military spending isn't definitive or entirely essential, said Dave Angell, prime ministerial foreign and defence policy advisor. Article content 'But we do need much more robust capabilities than we've had for some period of time,' said Angell. Article content 'We do need to have a much greater and sustained investment.' Article content Angell said the upcoming G7 will be 'exceptionally timely' in discussing developments in Gaza, Iran, Haiti and Ukraine, adding he's heartened by strong, united wording in final communiques coming from G7 finance and foreign affairs meetings in the past few months. Article content Article content 'It's going to come at a cost to the rest of the Canadian economy, it's going to be incredibly costly,' said Ian Brodie, a political science professor at the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies. Article content Article content The U of C's Huebert said Canada has proven a reliable NATO member and has answered many calls for troops, noting the country is currently deploying a battle group in Latvia to deter Russian aggression in the Baltic states. Article content One of the targets for protesters who will gather in Calgary for the G7 is military spending, which they contend invites more conflict and detracts from investment on social needs.
Ottawa Citizen
22 minutes ago
- Ottawa Citizen
'We need to move': Liberals defend plan to ram through major projects bill before Canada Day
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is coming under fire for its plan to push its internal trade and major projects bill through the House of Commons next week at high speed. Article content Government House leader Steven MacKinnon has put a motion on notice that would push Bill C-5 through the House of Commons by the end of next week at an unusually rapid pace — leaving only a few hours to hear from civil society groups, stakeholders and experts. Article content Article content Article content If the motion is adopted, it would quickly move through debate at second reading stage and a vote, after which the bill would be referred to a House of Commons committee. Article content Article content Members of the committee would meet Tuesday and Wednesday to gather evidence from witnesses, before undertaking a clause-by-clause consideration of the legislation. Article content The expectation would be for the committee's report to be presented to the House on Thursday, and debate and a vote at third reading to happen on Friday — which is the last calendar day before all MPs will be going back to their respective ridings for the summer. C-5 would grant the government sweeping powers to quickly approve major natural resource and infrastructure projects once cabinet deems them to be in the national interest. Article content The legislation also looks to break down internal trade barriers and make it easier for workers to take jobs in other provinces. Article content Article content MacKinnon rejected a call from the Bloc Québécois this week to split the landmark legislation in two — so the House could speed through the less contentious internal-trade provisions while putting the controversial major projects portion under the microscope. Article content Luc Berthold, the deputy House leader for the Conservatives, declined to say if his party would support the fast-tracking of C-5 and said discussions between all parties were ongoing. Article content 'When a minority government decides it wants certain things, it needs to negotiate with all parties. So, we're awaiting the result of these negotiations,' he said on Thursday. Article content Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet said his party would oppose the motion 'with vigour.' Article content 'The kind of impetuosity from the prime minister to supercharge the legislative agenda in the short term and to bypass, from the very start of his mandate, the usual parliamentary rules are a matter of concern,' said Blanchet in French during a press conference.
Cision Canada
24 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
The BCMEA Welcomes the Ready and Rogers Industrial Inquiry Commission Report
VANCOUVER, BC, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - The BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) welcomes the federal government's Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) report by respected labour relations experts Vincent Ready and Amanda Rogers on longshoring labour disputes at Canada's West Coast ports. The findings and recommendations outlined in this report are thorough, balanced, and provide a clear path forward for the federal government, the BCMEA and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union — one that, if acted upon, will advance long-term stability at Canada's West Coast ports to the benefit of all parties. As Canada urgently pivots to new, more reliable trading partners and builds a single Canadian economy, our competitiveness and economic success hinge on the reliability and long-term stability of our West Coast ports. The BCMEA is committed to working constructively with the Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu and Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli, our labour partners and other interested parties to realize the objectives and recommendations contained in the report, for the benefit of all Canadians.
