Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday that the prospects for a trade deal with the US would improve if Washington moves closer to accepting Canada’s key conditions, stressing that Ottawa would sign an agreement only if it serves the national interest.
– Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney responded to a question about a possible trade deal between Canada and the US.
– “To the extent to which the US is moving towards accepting those aspects, then there’s a greater prospect of a deal. But we’ll judge it, and if there is something, we’ll judge it as a whole,” he said.
– He said Ottawa had set firm limits that led it to reject the terms put forward in August.
– “We had very clear bottom lines, red lines, which meant that we were not willing to sign what was offered in August,” Carney said.
– He added that Canada remains willing to reach an agreement on the right terms.
– “Canada’s ready to sign an agreement that is in the interests of Canadians, all Canadians,” he said.
– Carney’s remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump said Washington is “getting close to a deal” with Canada. Speaking to reporters Sunday before a rally, Trump alleged that Ottawa has long profited off the US.