Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged that a broader trade agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump is unlikely to be achieved soon. He indicated that discussions to lift the 25% auto tariffs will likely be deferred until next year’s review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA). Carney made these comments ahead of a nine-day trip to Asia, where he is scheduled to meet with Trump.

During a news conference, Carney emphasized his commitment to securing a better deal for Canadian autoworkers. He stated, "That starts with working up the supply chain on (eliminating tariffs on) steel and aluminum." He noted that negotiations are ongoing for the steel and aluminum industries, which also involve discussions about elements of the energy sector and other components. Carney explained that the U.S. is shifting towards a sector-by-sector negotiation approach rather than a global one.

In his remarks, Carney pointed out that the U.S. is interested in sectoral agreements with all countries, not just Canada. He mentioned the upcoming review of the CUSMA agreement, stating, "Broader aspects will be brought there." He also issued a warning to the U.S., saying that if Canada cannot secure fair access to the U.S. market, Ottawa will consider changing the terms of its commercial relationship with the U.S. He added, "If we ultimately don’t make progress in these various sectors, we’re going to do what’s necessary to protect our workers."

Carney's comments came after he was asked about support for autoworkers following General Motors' announcement to halt production of an electric truck in Ingersoll. He acknowledged that U.S. auto tariffs have destabilized the industry but insisted that current exemptions for Canadian-made products that comply with CUSMA provide Canada with a favorable position compared to other global automakers.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who joined Carney at the news conference, expressed strong support for the prime minister. He stated, "I support the prime minister one thousand percent," and praised Carney as an "extremely bright business person who has made massive deals in the private sector."

Ford also reiterated the Ontario government's commitment to a $75 million anti-tariff advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness about the impact of tariffs. He emphasized that protectionism does not work, stating, "A tariff on Canada is a tax on Americans."

However, Carney's assertion that Canada has the best deal on auto tariffs was challenged by Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar Corporation. She argued that it is incorrect to claim that 85% of Canadian products are exempt from U.S. tariffs. Hasenfratz highlighted that since the U.S. expanded tariffs to include all products derived from steel and aluminum, over 900 product categories are affected. She stressed the need for an interim tariff relief deal before the CUSMA renegotiation, stating, "We can’t wait six, eight, nine months to get the tariffs on vehicles, metal and metal derivative products dealt with."

Unifor President Lana Payne also voiced concerns about the government's approach. She warned against making early side deals with Trump on some tariffs while postponing discussions on autos and forestry. Payne stated, "Waiting for the CUSMA deal is a problem with the tariffs that we’re suffering under."

She expressed her worries about the risks of delaying negotiations, especially after Stellantis announced the end of its Jeep production plan in Brampton, affecting 3,000 Canadian workers. Payne emphasized that waiting for the CUSMA review carries significant risks, stating, "We might not be able to get a deal there. We might be in a situation where the U.S. cancels that deal and that sets the clock ticking."