Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada is not yielding to pressure in its trade discussions with the United States, emphasizing that the talks are being conducted on an equal partnership basis. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney said that negotiations involve two sides and Canada is not merely following U.S. directives. He noted that Canada understands the U.S. position while identifying areas of mutual benefit.

Carney highlighted that Canada recognizes its own interests and seeks to strengthen joint interests with the United States. He also underlined his government’s ability to manage multiple issues simultaneously. Differentiating between manageable trade disputes and direct violations, Carney cited U.S. tariffs of 50 percent on steel and aluminum, 25 percent on automobiles, and duties on forest products as violations rather than ordinary trade issues.

He further noted that the United States is Canada’s largest trading partner, while Canada ranks as the second-largest for the U.S., underscoring the mutual dependence between the two economies.