Ontario (Rajeev Sharma)– Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday assured provincial premiers that Canada would accept nothing short of a favorable deal in its ongoing trade talks with the United States. As the Council of the Federation convened in Ontario’s cottage country, Carney confirmed that Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc would travel to Washington, D.C., in the coming days to continue negotiations, emphasizing, “We are only going to accept the best deal for Canada.”
The meeting comes at a critical time as U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 35 per cent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian products starting August 1. The premiers are particularly focused on how to counter these measures while also advancing efforts to eliminate internal trade barriers within Canada.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford repeated his demand that Canada respond to any American tariffs with equivalent countermeasures, asserting that “strength is the one thing Trump understands.” Ford urged the federal government to stand ready to support industries that could suffer under the weight of a prolonged trade conflict. He also emphasized the need to bring back domestic production of essential goods such as aluminum cans and steel beams to reduce dependency and shield the economy from external shocks.
Ford, who currently chairs the Council of the Federation, lauded Carney’s leadership, saying it was refreshing to work with a prime minister who “has our backs.” Carney, in turn, praised the provinces for signing several trade agreements that have expanded access across internal Canadian markets, describing these efforts as vital steps toward national economic resilience.
Earlier in the day, Ford joined the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan to announce a new memorandum of understanding focused on building new infrastructure. The agreement outlines plans to construct pipelines using Ontario steel and develop new rail lines aimed at transporting critical minerals from Ontario’s Ring of Fire region to Western Canada. These infrastructure projects are expected to boost interprovincial trade and help secure Canada’s resource supply chains amid increasing global volatility.
