Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump have renewed efforts to reach a trade deal, saying their teams will work toward one in the coming weeks, but neither gave terms or a firm deadline.
Carney’s office said the two spoke by phone on Saturday, Oct. 31. Carney announced the conversation the next day, Nov. 1. He called it constructive.
He said a possible agreement should create jobs, lower costs for families, and respect Canada’s language, culture and sovereignty. Trump later told reporters in Iowa that the countries had the “concept” of a deal. He said it could benefit American farmers and the United States.
Trump’s remarks sounded more hopeful than Carney’s recent warning that Canada was not yet ready to accept an agreement. The latest outreach follows negotiations that broke down in August after Ottawa rejected U.S. demands. Ottawa said the demands threatened Canadian industries and sovereignty.
The breakdown was followed by steep tariffs and Canadian countermeasures. Autos remain a key point of disagreement. It is unclear what form renewed talks will take.
No details of an agreement have been announced. The leaders’ positive statements signal that talks are restarting, not that a deal has been completed.