Carney Says Canada Can Wait, Then Trump Says a Deal Is Taking Shape

On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country was prepared to wait for a new American administration if that is what an acceptable trade deal requires, Newsmax reported. Two days later, President Trump was in Iowa telling reporters that he and Carney now have the concept of a deal.

The shift came days before Tuesday's midterm elections. It also followed months of slow progress in the talks, and a fall in which both countries imposed new tariffs.

No date for a deal has been found. Trump's word is "concept." Carney's, by his own account, is "outlines."

Carney Draws a Line in Montreal

Carney spoke to Politico and to reporters after a summit with European Union officials in Montreal, according to Newsmax. He said Canada would not sign an agreement just for the sake of it. After the summit he said of waiting for a new administration: "We'll have to, if that's what it takes."

Newsmax's headline framed that as Canada planning to wait Trump out. That framing is the outlet's own. Carney's wording was about waiting for a new U.S. administration.

On the shirts Trump gave him, Newsmax reported that Carney has not worn the four Brooks Brothers shirts. "I haven't had occasion to put on the shirts, because we don't have a mutually advantageous trade deal," he said. According to Newsmax, he will wear them if there is a deal.

Asked whether he had handled the EU summit differently out of sensitivity to Trump, he replied, "That way lies madness." Newsmax reported that he dismissed Trump's threats of retaliation over closer ties between Canada and Europe. According to Newsmax, which cited the CBC, Ottawa wants to become the EU's first associate member. Germany and some other European countries oppose that idea.

Friction Beyond Tariffs

Newsmax reported that Carney called the Trump administration's shifting policy on Russia and Ukraine "unhelpful." According to Newsmax, he cited "variance" in Russia sanctions and in the provision of defensive capabilities to Ukraine. Newsmax also reported that Trump has suspended some Russia penalties and sought Russian diesel supplies before the midterms.

Newsmax also relayed a report from Politico, which has not been independently confirmed. It said the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa circulated a document alleging "potential interference in U.S. elections" by Canadian officials. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra later said there was no "definitive" determination. According to Newsmax, the White House did not immediately respond to Politico.

A Saturday Phone Call Changes the Tone

Speaking to reporters in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, Trump said he had spoken with Carney the day before, according to Reuters. He said "we have the concept of a deal that's going to be great for our farmers, great for our country."

Carney was more cautious. Reuters reported that in a social media post on Sunday, he said the exchange builds on discussions on the "outlines of a mutually beneficial trade deal." According to Reuters, he said such a deal would create jobs, improve affordability, and respect Canada's languages, culture and sovereignty. We have not seen the post itself.

Reuters's headline says the concept includes a pipeline. Its report also mentions TC Energy, which lost billions when Keystone XL was cancelled, and Bridger Pipeline. Details of Trump's pipeline remarks were not confirmed.

Reuters also reported that Trump said last week a deal was coming soon. Ottawa had reported limited progress despite efforts to ease U.S. tariffs on steel and autos.

How Talks Got Here

According to Newsmax, talks have made little progress since Canada walked away in August, and both sides imposed new tariffs this fall. Trump's remarks and Carney's post are public statements, not a signed agreement.

No deal date has been found. The next things to watch are a White House response, any tariff relief on steel and autos, and pipeline details. Voters go to the polls Tuesday.