The headline from the CBC made it sound like the Trump administration was engaged in a street-level shakedown of their closest ally and neighbour.
“Washington demanding ‘entry fee’ from Ottawa before trade talks: sources,” CBC’s headline read.
“Canada – USA Tariff Wars”
Canada, U.S. trade systems ‘don’t fit together very well,’ Greer says
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says there is a gap between the Canada and U.S. administrations’ trade philosophies.
Greer made the comments at a U.S. House Ways and Means Committee hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade agenda on Wednesday.
“They’ve done this, but overall they’ve indicated that they want to be trading more, they want to have more trade agreements with more countries,” Greer said, when asked whether Canada is taking the same steps as Mexico to better align with U.S. trade policy, specifically when it comes to rules of origin.
LeBlanc accuses U.S. of weaponizing dependency, says feds want CUSMA to stay intact
OTTAWA – Despite accusing the United States of weaponizing the deep integration of its economy with Canada’s, Dominic LeBlanc says he “absolutely” wants the trilateral trade deal including Mexico to remain intact.
“We’ve become overly dependent on one trading partner who has turned around, as the prime minister has also said, and weaponized that very dependency or integration against us,” the Canada-U.S. trade minister said in an interview on CTV Power Play with Vassy Kapelos on Tuesday.
“To sell a tool to China, impossible. To sell a tool to India, impossible. To sell a tool to Europe, highly unlikely.”
Manufacturers won’t survive without a long-term agreement with the U.S.
Mr. Carney’s pivot to China cannot rescue our industries in crisis. pic.twitter.com/71B7O6CRV4
— Raquel Dancho (@RaquelDancho) April 21, 2026
LILLEY: Mark Carney — The unreliable boyfriend Canada can’t afford
When Mark Carney was the Governor of the Bank of England, he earned the nickname the unreliable boyfriend. He earned the nickname for his habit of giving off mixed signals on interest rates — hot one day and cold the next.
The unreliable boyfriend fits when it comes to Carney and his inability to have a coherent message on Canada’s relationship with the United States.
Poilievre says Carney has been ‘losing, losing, losing’ on U.S. trade war
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre launched a pointed attack on the Liberal government’s handling of the Canada-U.S. file Tuesday, saying the results so far have fallen well short of the mark and the prime minister is “losing” the trade war.
Speaking to reporters after Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his new trade advisory council to help with the U.S. dispute — a body that includes some big-name Conservatives — Poilievre lashed out, saying the Liberals ran on settling the issue at the last election but there has been no discernible progress to this point.
While Mexico Wins Food Trade, Canada Drifts
There is something almost too convenient in how quickly Canadians point south when discussing unpredictability in trade. Yes, Donald Trump has long been synonymous with volatility. But focusing solely on Washington risks missing a more uncomfortable truth: Ottawa has become just as difficult to read.
Under Mark Carney, Canada’s posture toward the United States has shifted with surprising speed—less theatrical than Trump’s, but no less consequential. In April 2025, we were promised a renewed economic and security partnership. By the summer, we were told the existing deal was already the best possible outcome. Fast forward to April 2026, and suddenly our reliance on the U.S. is framed as a strategic weakness. All of this, notably, after months without meaningful engagement or negotiation.
Tasha Kheiriddin: Carney preparing to fail in Trump negotiations
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Sunday video was a master class in crisis communications. He reminded Canadians of his credentials managing tough times. He described the urgent challenges Canada faces. He explained what he is doing to tackle them. He promised not to “sugarcoat” anything. He appealed to Canadians’ patriotism. And he promised to keep us posted: bookmark this YouTube channel for the next episode.
Washington demanding ‘entry fee’ from Ottawa before trade talks: sources
The Trump administration is demanding what amounts to an “entry fee” from Canada to engage in trade talks toward a revised Canada-United States-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA), four sources told Radio-Canada.
“The Americans are setting conditions before negotiations begin,” said one high-ranking individual familiar with the matter.
Three sources used the term “entry fee” to describe concessions the U.S. administration is seeking before formal trade talks begin.
Canada’s Deal on Chinese EVs an ‘Irritant’ for US Ahead of Key Trade Negotiations: Auto Industry
Canada’s decision to allow Chinese electric vehicles into the country could negatively affect crucial upcoming trade negotiations with the United States, automobile industry representatives told MPs.
The leaders of two industry groups representing Canadian operations of American and global carmakers testified in the House of Commons science and research committee on April 20. The committee is studying the implications of Ottawa’s deal allowing up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles to enter Canada at a preferential tariff rate.
John Ivison: Carney’s feel-good video is weak medicine for our grave economic reality
Was the timing of Mark Carney’s feel-good “fireside chat” video released Sunday mere coincidence, landing as it did the day before concerning inflation numbers?
Or was it a deliberate calculation to point out that Canadian fur traders were all over the northern plains before the Americans had left St. Louis, a day ahead of confirmation that consumers are now paying $2.50 for a single bloody cucumber?
Carney names advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations as CUSMA review nears
Prime Minister Mark Carney has released the names of his new advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations.
The list includes experts, industry and union leaders and retired high-profile politicians such as former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt.
According to a government statement, the committee will serve as a forum where members can develop strategy for how Canada should approach its economic relationship with the U.S.
Mark Carney gets mixed reviews for response to ‘Donald Trump’s war on Canada’
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney’s view that Canada’s “weakness” stems from its longtime close trade ties with the U.S. was mocked by the Conservatives Monday, and met skepticism by an Eastern premier who warned it will likely further anger the U.S.
In a video message posted Sunday on YouTube, Carney said the U.S. “has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression. Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become our weaknesses, weaknesses that we must correct.”
Carney’s choice of words was no error.
As the U.S. turns on its allies, Canadians look toward joining Europe
The idea keeps coming back. A French politician mused about it in Berlin last month. A Finnish leader visiting Ottawa this April didn’t dismiss it out of hand.
Fresh polls show a majority of Canadians would support it.
And in an era when the United States has turned on its closest allies, the question has acquired a new urgency: Could Canada join the European Union?
CarneyCon
Carney is prepping the Elbow people to be ready for a Canada in steep decline. A decline he orchestrated.
Prime Minister Carney’s message today was largely expected.
The warning signs have been there for months, especially as he increased his international travel. We’ve also reached this point because he has not delivered on his key promise to secure a deal with the United States—a… pic.twitter.com/ajtKhuDRWi
— The Food Professor (@FoodProfessor) April 19, 2026
‼️BREAKING – Mark Carney braces Canada for PAIN
says that "the days young Canadians have known, haven't been that good"
blames their crushed dreams on the 2003 WAR IN IRAQ!!
no mention that HIS party surged immigration pushing home onwership out of reach! pic.twitter.com/q4G3SPpYZW
— Tablesalt 🇨🇦🇺🇸 (@Tablesalt13) April 19, 2026
h/t Mauser
Carney calls Canada’s U.S. ties ‘weaknesses’ that must be corrected
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s ties to the U.S. have become “weaknesses” that must be corrected, as workers in Canada’s auto, steel and lumber industries remain under threat due to U.S. President Donald Trump tariffs.
“The U.S. has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression,” Carney said in a video posted to YouTube on Sunday morning.
“Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become weaknesses — weaknesses that we must correct.”