Carney says Canada-U.S. trade talks have grown “more intense”, but no deal yet

Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Nov. 3 that trade negotiations between Canada and the United States have become “more intense” since his telephone call with U.S. President Donald Trump last weekend, but the talks are not finished.

Speaking to reporters in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, Carney said: “We’ve made progress but we haven’t finished.” He said some of Canada’s “red lines” have been taken off the table, including language, culture and Canada’s ability to negotiate trade deals with other markets.

Carney described the U.S. side as “asking less and offering more”, while adding that important issues still need progress. He did not specify which issues, nor when Canada’s chief negotiator is likely to return to Washington.

Trump says a deal is coming “very soon”

Trump said in a Fox News interview the same day that a deal with Canada would come “very soon”. He also claimed Canada would provide fertilizer to the United States duty-free. The Canadian Press noted that Canada does not charge export tariffs on fertilizer or its components, including potash.

Background: talks were halted at the eleventh hour in August

Carney called off formal talks in August at the eleventh hour, as the two sides worked to finalize a deal before a new round of U.S. tariffs on nearly $28 billion worth of Canadian goods. Carney said that, given the progress made, it was important to acknowledge it publicly, and that negotiators do not always need to formally walk into the offices of the U.S. Trade Representative or the Department of Commerce.

Source: The Canadian Press, Nov. 3, 2026; Trump’s remarks from a Fox News interview.