Carney Says Canada Is Ready for U.S. Deal as Washington Softens Some Demands

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is ready to return to the negotiating table for a mutually beneficial trade agreement when the United States is prepared to do the same. He said any agreement would need to provide stability and credibility for Canadian and American workers, families and businesses. [1]

Carney also said the U.S. position had softened since the previous round of negotiations broke down. He pointed specifically to demands involving Canadian language and culture that Washington had pressed until the final hours but was no longer pursuing. Carney welcomed that movement, while stopping short of announcing that formal talks had resumed or that a new agreement had been reached. [1][2]

That makes the September 3 statement distinct from the earlier report that no negotiations were underway. It is a new signal about Canada?s willingness to re-engage and about movement in the U.S. negotiating position, not evidence that the two governments have restarted formal negotiations. [1][2]

Canada?s announced counter-tariffs remain scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 8. The federal list covers $27.6 billion of U.S. imports at rates of 15%, 25% and 50%, including products in steel and aluminum, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics and electronics. [3]

For businesses, the statement modestly improves the prospect of renewed negotiations but does not change any tariff rate, effective date or exemption. The next decision-relevant development would be a confirmed meeting, a formal restart of talks, a tariff delay or an agreed settlement. [1][3]