Prime Minister Mark Carney is denying reports that Ontario Premier Doug Ford effectively vetoed a proposed Canada-U.S. trade deal last month. Carney says trade decisions rest with the federal government and that the agreement collapsed because of several serious issues, including language and cultural protections, Canadian sovereignty, and restrictions on future trade negotiations.
The National Post has reported a different account, claiming Ford privately opposed key elements of the proposed agreement. According to that reporting, Ford objected to restoring U.S. wine and spirits to Ontario store shelves and opposed any deal that would leave tariffs on Canadian auto exports.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has meanwhile criticized Canada’s approach, arguing that the economic imbalance between the two countries makes a prolonged trade confrontation particularly damaging for Canada.
University of Toronto economics professor Joseph Steinberg tells Marc Patrone it is difficult to determine exactly what happened because neither side has released the full text of the proposed agreement. He noted that Ford’s position on the alcohol embargo could have complicated negotiations, while emphasizing that there is not enough public information to conclude that Carney was being dishonest.
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