Prime Minister Mark Carney in an abrupt change in messaging now says reaching an amicable trade deal with US President Donald Trump is unlikely. Carney for months — including throughout the election campaign — has insisted he is capable of “negotiating” with Trump, given his banking background, and voters can trust him to go “elbows up” into trade talks with the president to secure a win for Canada. Rather than maintain his optimistic tone, Carney expressed he perceives trade talks to be an uphill battle in the coming days, ahead of the August 1 deadline imposed by Trump. The US on that date will impose a 35% tariff on imports from Canada, unless an alternative deal is reached. .UPDATED: Alberta at odds with Quebec in willingness to kill dairy cartel .Negotiations “will intensify,” he told the Canadian Press on his way to his office to hold a virtual cabinet meeting.“There is not much evidence at this moment of agreements, arrangements, or negotiations with the Americans for any country, any jurisdiction, to have a tariff-free deal,” said Carney in French.Carney mentioned the vast majority of Canadian goods fall under CUSMA, an existing trade deal with the US and Mexico, that regulates North American trade, but emphasized the need for a tariff-free deal on other sectors..UPDATED: ‘It’s achievable’ — Trump, Carney could reach trade deal within days.“There are problems, obviously, in the automobile steel sector, aluminum, pharmaceuticals, and other areas that all need to be addressed. We need to stabilize the situation for Canada,” said Carney.“(Canadians) need to recognize the commercial landscape globally has changed” since Trump assumed office, he added.“We will continue to focus on what we can most control, which is building a strong Canadian economy.”“A strong Canadian auto industry, a strong Canadian aluminum industry, copper industry and others.”
