US President Donald Trump on Friday firmly rejected the idea of resuming trade negotiations with Canada, one week after abruptly halting talks over a dispute related to an anti-tariff advertisement.
While speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed his admiration for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, saying, “I really like him a lot. But what they did was wrong.”
Responding to a reporter’s question, the president confirmed that discussions would not resume, despite Carney’s apology regarding the “false commercial” that had sparked the conflict.
The dispute escalated when Canada launched an anti-protectionist advertising campaign, prompting Trump to break off bilateral talks and impose a 10% tariff increase on Canadian products.
Despite the tension, Trump emphasised that he maintained a “good relationship” with Carney, noting a positive exchange between the two leaders at the APEC summit in South Korea.
Carney, speaking at a separate summit in Malaysia earlier, had reiterated that Canada was ready to restart trade negotiations with the US.
The breakdown in talks marks a significant shift in relations between the two long-standing allies. Canada, the US’s second-largest trading partner, plays a vital role in supplying steel and aluminium to American industries.
Though most cross-border trade remains tariff-free under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), sector-specific levies—especially on steel, aluminium, and automobiles—have severely impacted Canada, leading to job losses and financial strain for businesses.