Carney Calls U.S. Trade Talks 'Nasty' as 50 Percent Tariff Deadline Approaches

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that trade negotiations with the United States have turned "nasty," a sharp assessment that came after President Donald Trump publicly derided Canada and threatened to expand tariffs on Canadian imports.

The talks are operating under a concrete deadline: proposed 50 percent tariffs are scheduled to take effect in two weeks, targeting a broad range of Canadian goods.

Carney said Canada remains at the negotiating table despite Trump's comments, framing the talks as a critical effort to protect Canadian workers and businesses. He called it a "tough negotiation."

Carney's use of "nasty" mirrored Trump's own description of Canadian leadership, giving the dispute a personal edge that runs alongside the economic one.

For Canadian industries dependent on cross-border trade, 50 percent tariffs would mean direct pressure on jobs and margins. Trump has used the tariff threat as leverage to push Canadian negotiators toward U.S. demands.

The talks are operating under a concrete deadline: proposed 50 percent tariffs are scheduled to take effect in two weeks, targeting a broad range of Canadian goods.

Carney said Canada remains at the negotiating table despite Trump's comments, framing the talks as a critical effort to protect Canadian workers and businesses. He called it a "tough negotiation."

Carney's use of "nasty" mirrored Trump's own description of Canadian leadership, giving the dispute a personal edge that runs alongside the economic one.