Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is raising doubts about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ability to handle negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, especially as Canada and the U.S. have yet to reach a finalized trade agreement that would provide tariff relief for Canada.
In an interview on CBC’s “Rosemary Barton Live,” Poilievre expressed disappointment in Carney’s failure to deliver on his promises made during the spring election campaign. Carney had pledged to secure a favorable deal by July 21 and negotiate effectively with President Trump. Poilievre questioned the validity of these promises, emphasizing that they were not just casual commitments but significant assurances.
Carney’s primary focus during the election campaign was centered on addressing issues with the U.S. administration. Efforts were being made to reach a potential agreement on tariffs until Trump abruptly halted trade discussions through a late-night social media announcement. Trump cited an advertisement by the Ontario government, featuring former U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s words to convey an anti-tariff message, as the reason for the breakdown in talks.
Following the ad controversy, Trump mentioned that Carney had apologized for the commercial, which was withdrawn from airing after being broadcast over the weekend, including during the World Series on American television networks. However, the Prime Minister’s Office did not confirm Carney’s personal apology regarding the ad.
Trump also disclosed that there are no plans to resume trade negotiations with Canada. Poilievre, when asked about his approach to managing relations with Trump, highlighted the importance of strengthening the economy to enhance Canada’s position and fulfill promises related to major project developments. He refrained from speculating on the effectiveness of his strategy compared to Carney’s, stressing that he is not the current prime minister.
Poilievre criticized Carney for his perceived failures in international dealings, asserting that these shortcomings are impacting Canadian interests domestically. The complete interview with Poilievre will be broadcast on “Rosemary Barton Live” on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.