Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that Canada has “no intention” of seeking a free trade agreement with China, as U. S. President Donald Trump warns of severe tariffs if Canada “makes a deal with China.”
“What we’ve done with China is to fix some issues that have come up over the last couple of years,” Carney told reporters Sunday morning in Ottawa, mentioning trade topics like Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), agricultural goods, and fish products.
Carney emphasized that Canada “respects our commitments” to the Canada-U. S.-Mexico Agreement, which requires any of the three nations to inform the others beforehand if they wish to pursue a free trade deal with a non-market country – such as China.
Trump continued to express his frustration on Sunday afternoon, claiming on his Truth Social account that “China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada. So sad to see it happen.”
This statement followed one day after Trump threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on all Canadian goods entering the U. S. if Canada “makes a deal with China.” However, the U. S. president did not clarify what he meant by “deal” in his social media post.
“If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a ‘Drop Off Port’ for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken,” wrote Trump – referring to the prime minister as governor, a jab often aimed at Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau.
WATCH | Carney responds to Trump’s latest tariff threat:
Carney says Canada has no intention of pursuing free trade deal with China
Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterated Sunday that Canada will not seek a free trade agreement with China, stating their recent arrangement concerning items like EVs and agriculture was ‘to fix some issues that developed in the last couple of years.’ He was responding to U. S. President Donald Trump’s threat about imposing a 100 percent tariff on Canadian goods if Canada ‘makes a deal with China.’
“China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life,” Trump expressed.
Last week, Canada struck an agreement with China allowing 49,000 Chinese EVs into its market at a reduced tariff rate of 6.1 percent in exchange for lower tariffs from China on Canadian canola and other products.
Cross Country Checkup is asking: What grade are you giving Mark Carney on his handling of Donald Trump? Leave your comment here and we may read it or call you back for Sunday’s show
Trump’s latest warning marks a shift from his earlier comments following Canada’s agreement with China when he appeared unfazed and described it as a “good thing.”
“That’s what [Carney] should be doing. It’s good for him to sign a trade deal. If you can get an agreement with China, you should do that,” Trump told reporters at the White House during that time.
On Sunday, U. S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified Trump’s warning by stating tariffs are possible if Canada goes ahead with a free trade deal involving China.
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U. S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks at the USA House during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 21. (Markus Schreiber/The Associated Press)
“If they go further – if we see that Canadians are permitting Chinese goods to be dumped [into the United States],” Bessent said on ABC’s This Week.
Moshe Lander, an economics professor at Concordia University, shared this weekend with that Trump’s unpredictable stance regarding Canada’s agreement reflects how he operates.
“Ultimately, in order to exert influence over Canada, you need to ensure they don’t have options,” Lander explained.
Lander added that if Canada’s government believes it can secure alternative options, it could empower them during upcoming discussions regarding North American free trade agreements with American officials.
“I’m not surprised he’s upset at the idea of Canada leaning towards China,” Lander remarked.
Tensions between Trump and Canada have increased following Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland – where he mentioned how “American hegemony” and “great powers” are using economic integration as “weapons.”
Trump criticized Carney’s remarks during his own speech saying “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark; next time you make your statements.”
Foreign affairs minister says government needs to ‘meet the moment’ as global landscape shiftsChief political correspondent Rosemary Barton interviews Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand about her trip alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney aimed at diversifying Canadian trade before Davos; also featuring retired Dutch admiral Rob Bauer who chaired NATO Military Committee discussing President Donald Trump’s threats related Greenland’s annexation status along potential tensions within NATO alliance affecting U. S interactions surrounding Arctic island ownership.
“Indeed at Davos I met groups eager addressing energy necessities stemming from illegal Russian strikes impacting Ukraine’s electricity grid,” Anand elaborated further explaining approaches taken through pragmatic measures reflecting middle power roles aiming solutions amidst evolving challenges confronting them globally.
“Such practical steps reflect priorities guiding continued engagement internationally hence assuring alignment towards objectives collectively advancing respective mandates within frameworks established thereby ensuring timely responses appropriate across diverse circumstances.”
The fallout from Carneys’ address seems temporarily jeopardizing Canadas participation certain alliances-for instance-concerning Trumps proposed initiative labeled “Board Of Peace” focused Gaza conflict resolutions leading initially inviting PM but rescinding invite shortly after controversial statements made therein context-related events occurred thereafter period subsequently following announcement signaling diplomatic unease present resulting directly attributed notions expressed accordingly deliberations undertaken subsequently occurring events transpiring.”Anand indicated she didn’t foresee disinvitation regarding ongoing relations maintained asserting; however policy maintained assisting Gaza regions enduring struggles remain unchanged irrespective situations developing overall influencing stances adopted addressing intricacies involved working collaboratively engaging initiatives prioritizing partnerships built foundations ultimately reinforcing long-standing connections rooted historical ties fostering cooperation mutually beneficial outcomes emerging contexts shaping future landscapes across sectors critical advancing agendas respectively fulfilling commitments undertaken proactively enhancing stability witnessed among parties engaged dialogues initiated facilitating progress achieved cumulatively benefitting larger community holistic approach applied comprehensively addressing underlying drivers impactful changes necessitated transformative response adaptive resilient framework implemented ensuring continuity growth fostering confidence trust prevailing environments conducive prosperity flourish sustainably.”
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What actions will Canada take based on Carney’s remarks?
A key question after Carney’s speech in Davos-where he urged middle powers to unite against global dominance-is what concrete steps Canada plans to take moving forward under this new foreign policy approach. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand commented during an interview on Rosemary Barton Live that it’s her responsibility along with other ministers. “As middle powers we aim to ensure our interests are protected and we already collaborate on several issues with various countries-look at our ‘coalition of willing’ regarding Ukraine,” Anand explained while speaking with host Rosemary Barton.WATCH | Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand discusses next steps after Carney’s speech:
Foreign affairs minister says government needs to ‘meet the moment’ as global landscape shiftsChief political correspondent Rosemary Barton interviews Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand about her trip alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney aimed at diversifying Canadian trade before Davos; also featuring retired Dutch admiral Rob Bauer who chaired NATO Military Committee discussing President Donald Trump’s threats related Greenland’s annexation status along potential tensions within NATO alliance affecting U. S interactions surrounding Arctic island ownership.
“Indeed at Davos I met groups eager addressing energy necessities stemming from illegal Russian strikes impacting Ukraine’s electricity grid,” Anand elaborated further explaining approaches taken through pragmatic measures reflecting middle power roles aiming solutions amidst evolving challenges confronting them globally.
“Such practical steps reflect priorities guiding continued engagement internationally hence assuring alignment towards objectives collectively advancing respective mandates within frameworks established thereby ensuring timely responses appropriate across diverse circumstances.”
The fallout from Carneys’ address seems temporarily jeopardizing Canadas participation certain alliances-for instance-concerning Trumps proposed initiative labeled “Board Of Peace” focused Gaza conflict resolutions leading initially inviting PM but rescinding invite shortly after controversial statements made therein context-related events occurred thereafter period subsequently following announcement signaling diplomatic unease present resulting directly attributed notions expressed accordingly deliberations undertaken subsequently occurring events transpiring.”Anand indicated she didn’t foresee disinvitation regarding ongoing relations maintained asserting; however policy maintained assisting Gaza regions enduring struggles remain unchanged irrespective situations developing overall influencing stances adopted addressing intricacies involved working collaboratively engaging initiatives prioritizing partnerships built foundations ultimately reinforcing long-standing connections rooted historical ties fostering cooperation mutually beneficial outcomes emerging contexts shaping future landscapes across sectors critical advancing agendas respectively fulfilling commitments undertaken proactively enhancing stability witnessed among parties engaged dialogues initiated facilitating progress achieved cumulatively benefitting larger community holistic approach applied comprehensively addressing underlying drivers impactful changes necessitated transformative response adaptive resilient framework implemented ensuring continuity growth fostering confidence trust prevailing environments conducive prosperity flourish sustainably.”Source link
