Ottawa-Negotiations with the United States are in an “intense phase,” said Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday, a few days after US President Donald Trump supported that his administration did not focus his energies to get along with Canada.
Mr. Carney avoided commenting on these words from Mr. Trump on Monday.
“It is a negotiation. (We must) take what is said in public as part of this context, ”he was content to answer when questioned on the subject during a press briefing on the Prince Edward Island.
As the deadline of August 1 approved by the US President for the entry into force of additional customs duties approached, he argued that Canada was invested in talks.
He again hinted that Ottawa will not havetened to sign any agreement before this deadline when he recognized the uncertainty in which companies and industries face.
“They want the right type of resolution. They want an agreement that makes sense to Canada, for businesses as well as Canadian workers, and negotiations are in an intense phase, he said. It is a complex negotiation. “
For several days, both Ottawa and Washington seem to want to lower expectations that a business agreement has been found by August 1.
An agreement will not necessarily mean the end of the American customs duties, reiterated Mr. Carney on Monday, affirming that indeed, it is “unlikely”.
“But there is the question of the level of the prices and there are other aspects, including the security of Canada,” he added.
Trump sent a letter to the Prime Minister threatening to impose customs duties of 35 % on Canadian products imported into the United States if a trade agreement is not concluded by August 1.
The White House later said that these customs duties would only apply to products that do not comply with the trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico. This exemption, if it materializes, is vast.
Canada is already affected by customs duties imposed by Mr. Trump on steel, aluminum and cars, and will be affected by copper rights that should also be added.
