OTTAWA, Aug 6 - Prime Minister Mark Carney, asked about recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that "Canada is nasty," said on Thursday that the Canadian government is focused on protecting jobs and businesses at home. Carney spoke to reporters in Saguenay, Quebec, as Canadian negotiators continued detailed talks in Washington with their U.S. counterparts about a review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade pact.
Trump, addressing an audience in Las Vegas on Wednesday, said "Canada is nasty," and referred to the country’s "nasty leadership." The remarks came amid strained relations between the two countries and with looming trade decisions hanging over the talks.
Carney acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiations, but emphasized the stakes for Canada. "Yes, it's a tough negotiation. You can change the adjective and say 'nasty' but for Canada it's a question of Canadian jobs, it's a question of the future of Canadian enterprises," he said when directly asked about the U.S. president's comments.
Sources of tension remain, with the two sides described as still far apart on key issues. President Trump is reportedly threatening to impose additional tariffs on Canadian imports as soon as next week unless Ottawa agrees to a series of concessions. Carney has been clear in his negotiating objective: he is seeking a comprehensive agreement that addresses the full scope of the review, rather than securing a partial arrangement that would leave outstanding issues unresolved.
The exchanges between the leaders and the ongoing bargaining in Washington underscore continuing friction in bilateral relations. Carney framed Ottawa's posture as a defense of domestic economic interests, highlighting jobs and the future prospects of Canadian businesses as central to Canada's negotiating position.
As talks proceed in the U.S. capital, the outcome remains uncertain. Carney reiterated that Canada is negotiating with its national economic interests in mind while facing public criticism from the other side of the border. The next steps in the process, including whether additional tariffs will be imposed, will depend on whether the two parties can bridge their differences in the coming days.