Mark Carney Says «Lot of Countries» Entered Deals With U.S. and Are «Certainly Not» Happy

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada would not rush into a trade agreement with the United States, warning that other countries that moved quickly into similar deals are now dissatisfied with the outcomes. Speaking in a recent interview with CBC News, one day before his government is set to unveil a federal spending plan introducing new policies, Carney emphasized a measured approach to negotiations. He said Canada would take «as much time as is necessary» to secure terms that align with its interests, adding «We need a good deal at the right time.» His comments come as trade tensions and tariff discussions remain central to economic policy.

Carney framed his position as a deliberate contrast to what he described as rushed agreements made by other countries under pressure to secure access to the U.S. market. He cautioned against prioritizing speed over substance, stating «And what we don't need is chasing a deal or chasing a small deal that disadvantages us for the bigger deal.» The prime minister indicated that Canada's strategy is focused on long-term outcomes rather than immediate political gains, particularly as negotiations with Washington continue to evolve amid broader geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

While stressing caution, Carney also suggested that a deal could be reached relatively quickly if both sides were aligned and committed to the process. He said «We're ready to sit. We could sit down this afternoon and hammer the whole thing out over the course of the next 10 days, with the U.S. side, wich has other things to do. I acknowledge that, had the bandwidth and the inclination to fo through it, we could hammer it all out. We know exactly what issues.» The remarks reflect a dual message: readiness to negotiate combined with a recognition of competing priorities on the American side.

Carney also pointed to past agreements involving the United States, suggesting that durability remains a key concern. He referenced broader lessons from recent trade dynamics, stating «In the end, we would go back to the deal that we would like to ultimately have with the United States and Mexico. One of the lessons I'm afraid we have to take of the last year, 15 months of U.S. behavior is unless the deal is aligned and bought into by the United States, it's not clear they will respect it.» His comments highlight skepticism about the long-term reliability of agreements that lack full political backing in Washington.

When pressed on whether Canada risked losing leverage by extending negotiations, Carney reiterated that time would not be treated as an open-ended process but insisted that urgency should not dictate outcomes. He said «We will only take as much time as is necessary, but rushing into something, you know, a lot of countries rushed into deals with the U.S., they weren't really worth the paper they were written on. A lot of buyers». He added that those countries are dissatisfied with the agreements, noting they are «certainly not in private». The statement underscores his argument that caution is justified by the experiences of others.

Carney's remarks come at a moment when Canada is preparing to outline its fiscal and economic priorities in a new federal spending plan. Trade relations with the United States remain a central pillar of that strategy, particularly as both countries navigate tariffs, supply chains, and shifting global alliances. By emphasizing patience and leverage, Carney is positioning his government as focused on securing a comprehensive agreement rather than a rapid compromise. His comments signal that negotiations may continue beyond immediate timelines as Canada seeks terms it considers sustainable.

Created by humans, assisted by AI.