- Prime Minister Mark Carney and his negotiating team took a balanced approach, signalling they weren’t desperate to sign a deal.
- On Wednesday, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirmed that negotiators for the two countries are in talks.
- A deal to scrap the tariffs permanently would bring only fleeting stability, but Canadians are getting used to managing uncertainty.
- While some criticized Mr. Carney for vacationing in Italy on the eve of trade talks, the move sent a message that Canada wasn’t panicking.
- The best tactic is for Canadians to keep calm and carry on, with the knowledge that they are on solid ground regardless of the outcome of trade talks.
- President Donald Trump’s tactics are designed to create fear, so the best way to counter them is by showing calmness and strength.
- While the full details aren’t known, any concessions are likely to rattle the Canadian public, as well as the sectors impacted.
Canada and the U.S. are engaged in ongoing tariff negotiations, with Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirming discussions are active. The Canadian negotiating team, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is adopting a calm and balanced approach, emphasizing that they are not desperate for a deal.1
The current trade climate has been characterized by uncertainty, with Canadians learning to manage the unpredictability of tariffs imposed by the U.S. “The best tactic is for Canadians to keep calm and carry on,” a sentiment echoed by Carney's team, which believes they are on solid ground regardless of the outcome.5
While some have criticized Carney for vacationing in Italy during the negotiations, this move was interpreted as a sign of confidence, indicating that Canada is not panicking in the face of aggressive trade tactics from the U.S. “President Donald Trump’s tactics are designed to create fear, so the best way to counter them is by showing calmness and strength,” said a source close to the negotiations.46
Despite the ongoing discussions, any potential concessions could unsettle the Canadian public and impact various sectors, as the full details of the negotiations remain unclear. A deal to scrap the tariffs permanently would bring only fleeting stability.37
“Carney's vacation in Italy on the eve of talks was criticized but sent a message that Canada wasn't panicking. Trump's tactics are designed to create fear, so showing calmness and strength is the best counter, though any concessions could rattle the public.”
The Globe and Mail
