Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has raised doubts about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ability to handle negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, as Canada and the U.S. are still in the process of finalizing a trade agreement that would provide tariff relief to Canada.
In an interview with CBC’s Rosemary Barton Live, Poilievre criticized Carney for not fulfilling his promises made during the spring election campaign. Poilievre highlighted Carney’s commitment to secure a favorable deal by July 21 and negotiate effectively with President Trump.
Carney’s main focus during the election campaign was on engaging with the U.S. administration. Negotiations on tariffs were progressing until Trump abruptly called off the talks following an anti-tariff advertisement released by the Ontario government that featured Ronald Reagan’s words.
Trump stated that Carney had apologized for the ad, which was later taken off the air. However, the Prime Minister’s Office did not confirm Carney’s personal apology.
Trump also mentioned that there are no plans to restart trade discussions with Canada. When asked about his approach to handling the relationship with Trump, Poilievre emphasized the importance of strengthening the economy and fulfilling promises related to major projects.
Regarding comparisons between his approach and Carney’s, Poilievre refrained from speculating, noting that he is not the prime minister. He pointed out the perceived failures of Carney’s leadership, stating that they have negative consequences for Canada domestically.
The full interview with Poilievre is scheduled to air on Rosemary Barton Live on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.